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Former diplomat named to state's top election post

TALLAHASSEE - Coral Gables businesswoman Sue Cobb, a former U.S. ambassador to Jamaica, was introduced by Gov. Jeb Bush Wednesday as Florida's next secretary of state.

Cobb, 68, whose duties will include overseeing crucial elections next year, previously served in Bush's administration as interim Florida lottery secretary in 1999. In January she will replace Glenda Hood, who resigned last month.

There has been partisan bickering in the past over the conduct of Florida's elections, most notably in 2000. Democrats accused then-Secretary of State Katherine Harris, now a Republican congresswoman and candidate for the Senate, of making rulings to favor the governor's brother in the presidential race.

In elections next year, Gov. Bush's successor will be chosen and Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson will seek re-election, likely against Harris.

"You have with an appointive position an intersection of personal interests on occasion and rule of law, and I would be bound to apply the rule of law," Cobb said. "I am an attorney and understand the law, and I believe we have laws for reasons."

President Bush was elected by carrying Florida by 537 votes after a contentious recount complicated by difficulties reading outdated punch cards and cut short by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

The office of secretary of state has since changed from an elected to an appointed position. Hood, a former mayor of Orlando, was the first appointee, and Gov. Bush praised her for revamping and modernizing the state's election apparatus.

"Now I think when people talk about Florida, based on the hard work of the people here, that we have a great foundation and more people have confidence in the elections," Bush said.

Cobb said her first goal is to stay out of the way of staffers responsible for those improvements. "I believe in talking to the press, also," Cobb said. "I won't be hiding out anywhere."

Bush jokingly interjected, "What's up with that?"

A Los Angeles native, Cobb has a bachelor's degree in political science from Stanford University and a law degree from the University of Miami.

She has served as managing director and general counsel for Cobb Partners Inc., a private investment, venture capital, real estate and resort development company in Coral Gables, and as president of related companies.

She was ambassador to Jamaica from 2001 through this year.

[Last modified December 8, 2005, 00:49:13]