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Politics

Crist's administration takes shape

The governor-elect fills a range of positions.

By STEVE BOUSQUET
Published November 22, 2006

TALLAHASSEE - Gov.-elect Charlie Crist began putting his stamp on the office Tuesday with several key appointments, including chief of staff, general counsel and budget director.

Crist selected his top political adviser, George LeMieux, as chief of staff. The 37-year-old lawyer was chief of staff and deputy attorney general under Crist from 2003 to 2006 and chief of staff for Crist's campaign.

A 1994 Georgetown University Law Center graduate, LeMieux worked at the firm of Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart in Fort Lauderdale before he went to work for Crist four years ago.

Crist's top legal adviser will be Paul Huck, who has been regional deputy attorney general for South Florida. Huck, 40, is a 1992 Harvard Law School graduate.

To run the budget office, Crist chose Jerry McDaniel, 52, who has worked for three attorneys general. His deputy will be Robert Beck, 45, a veteran budget and policy analyst for the state Senate.

Crist appointed four deputy chiefs of staff: Arlene DiBenigno, Jim Rimes, Eric Eikenberg and Lori Sellers Rowe.

DiBenigno was political director and Rimes was operations director of Crist's campaign.

Eikenberg, 30, was chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Clay Shaw, who was defeated Nov. 7. Rowe, 36, has been a senior member of the attorney general's staff.

Crist named as director of external affairs Kamilah Prince, 28, who held various jobs in Gov. Jeb Bush's office. She was outreach coordinator for Crist's campaign.

"We're all hands on deck, and the more help the better," said Crist, who will take office Jan. 2.

DiBenigno and Huck are Hispanic, and Prince is African-American, Crist's transition office said.

Crist's office is seeking job applications from people interested in serving in state government at www.cristtransition.com.

Crist also announced a series of public and invitation-only events leading up to his Jan. 2 inauguration.

They will include a Dec. 17 cookout luncheon in Tampa and a youth baseball camp sponsored by the New York Yankees. The inauguration will be followed by a parade and ball in Tallahassee.

Steve Bousquet is at bousquet@ sptimes.com or 850 224-7263.

[Last modified November 22, 2006, 05:59:18]