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Politics

Baker won't join Crist

By AARON SHAROCKMAN
Published November 23, 2006

ST. PETERSBURG - Mayor Rick Baker said Wednesday he will not join Gov.-elect Charlie Crist's administration, ending speculation about the mayor's future.

But Baker stopped short of pledging to serve the last three years of his mayoral term.

Baker said he and Crist discussed more than one high-level job in the new governor's administration during a meeting in Tallahassee on Tuesday.

"He expressed an interest and asked if I was interested," said Baker, who was re-elected in 2005 with more than 70 percent of the vote. "I told him I think I have more to do in St. Petersburg.

"He understood completely."

Baker would not say what positions were discussed, since they involve jobs that are occupied.

"I am disappointed for Florida, but delighted for St. Petersburg," Crist said Wednesday. "Somebody with that much talent, I couldn't not reach out to."

Baker, 50, had been considered a candidate to lead either the Department of Education or Department of Community Affairs, in part because of his focus on area schools and the redevelopment of St. Petersburg's downtown. Crist appoints the community affairs director, but the education commissioner is selected by the state Board of Education.

In recent interviews, Baker had left the door open should he want to leave.

On Wednesday, Baker said it was time to remove any doubt, for the sake of the city and his staff.

"I was hearing about it everywhere I went," he said. "A lot of people thought I was already leaving this job."

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Baker would not go as far as to promise he would serve the remainder of his term, which expires in January 2010.

But he did seem to eliminate another possibility, saying it was "unlikely" he would run to replace U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young, R-Indian Shores, should Young decline to run in 2008.

Pinellas County Commissioner Karen Seel said this week she was interested should Young not seek re-election

Baker, who attended Florida State University with Crist, will remain part of Crist's transition team, overseeing the state's growth and environment policy, as well as the Transportation Department.

He also said Crist hopes to spread some of Baker's education initiatives statewide.

Aaron Sharockman can be reached at asharockman@sptimes.com or 727 892-2273.

[Last modified November 22, 2006, 22:44:25]