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Veteran of Tallahassee might replace Hood

Bob Ward, 42, confirmed that he has been approached about the post.

By STEVE BOUSQUET
Published November 8, 2005

TALLAHASSEE - A veteran legislative staff member emerged Tuesday as a leading candidate to become secretary of state, overseeing Florida's elections apparatus.

Bob Ward, 42, confirmed that he has been approached about the post and has spoken with Gov. Jeb Bush's chief of staff, Mark Kaplan.

But Ward said the job had not been offered, and he was concerned about finishing his current task as chief of staff to House Speaker Allan Bense, R-Panama City.

"The bottom line is, you have to have someone who performs in that function who's going to be open and fair," Ward said. "Someone who has a desire, from a historical standpoint, to see the history of the state perpetuated and preserved. . . . I have that desire. I have that interest."

Bush said Ward is one of several candidates under consideration since Secretary of State Glenda Hood resigned last week.

Ward is a lifelong Republican who has worked in a variety of legislative positions for 16 years. But he noted that he worked in a state agency under the administration of Democratic Gov. Lawton Chiles, and he earned praise from a leading Democratic legislator. Rep. Chris Smith, D-Fort Lauderdale, the House minority leader, said he cherished having a close working relationship with Ward.

"He serves a Republican master, but he's always been fair and upfront with me," Smith said.

Bense said Ward has no hidden political agenda, and he told his aide he should take the position if Bush offers it.

"It would be a terrible loss for me, but it would be a gain for the state of Florida," Bense said.

-- Times staff writer Joni James contributed to this report.

[Last modified November 8, 2005, 22:07:02]