Jennings' decision stuns many

The Senate president suddenly announces she will not run for state insurance commissioner.

By LUCY MORGAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 8, 2000

TALLAHASSEE -- After collecting key political endorsements and a campaign war chest of more than $1.6-million, Senate President Toni Jennings on Wednesday suddenly dropped out of the state insurance commissioner's race.

Her decision stunned many of her Senate colleagues and supporters who thought she might easily win the Republican nomination for the post being vacated by Insurance Commissioner Bill Nelson.

In a letter faxed to supporters Wednesday morning, Jennings said she made the decision "after much soul searching" and the realization that she really did not want the job.

Some political observers speculated that her decision is related to increasing questions about the lobbying activities of Oscar Juarez, a longtime personal and political friend of Jennings. Juarez's lobbying career skyrocketed as Jennings first became chairman of the Senate Rules Committee and then President.

In recent weeks Juarez has been hinting that Jennings might drop out of the race, but he wouldn't talk about it when contacted by the St. Petersburg Times earlier this week.

Juarez said he doesn't believe his friendship with Jennings has created any problems for her. He said some lobbyists in the agriculture industry and some of the trial lawyers were mad at Jennings because she stopped bills from passing.

"You know how people reach out to the person closest to her to take the first bullet," Juarez explained. "I felt like Swiss cheese the last few days of the session."

During the past year Jennings has been the victim of a series of anonymous mailings questioning her links to Juarez and their private business deals in Orlando. She said the letters were part of a smear campaign.

In addition, former state Republican Party Chairman Tom Slade says he was interviewed by federal investigators investigating Juarez about two years ago.

Slade said the investigators came to see him after he made a public comment criticizing Juarez for using his relationship with Jennings to get additional lobbying work. He said he believes Jennings' decision to get out of the race is directly tied to questions being raised about Juarez's lobbying activities.

But Jennings said her decision had nothing to do with the anonymous mailings or Juarez, and she discounted the report that federal authorities are investigating him.

"There is nothing out there," Jennings insisted. "There is absolutely nothing there. There never has been and there never will be. I have tried to make sure public office is a public trust."

Senate Majority Leader Jack Latvala also discounted reports of an investigation.

"This has been a progression of her making up her mind," Latvala said. "She is ready to do something else with her life. She has given half of her life to the state of Florida. She just decided the sacrifices of public service were just too great."

Jennings' decision sparked renewed interest in the insurance commissioner's job. The post will be eliminated when the voter-approved reform of the Florida Cabinet goes into effect in 2003. But it could be a jumping off point for the soon to be created job of chief financial officer.

Former Rep. Sandy Safley, a Safety Harbor Republican who recently moved to Tallahassee, said he has received calls from several people who want him to run.

Jennings said her campaign was going "exceptionally well" with endorsements from the state's teacher unions, law enforcement officers and business organizations and the prospect of enough money to meet the $2.3-million cap on Cabinet races.

"Last month after session had ended, I promised myself a few days to recharge the batteries," Jennings explained. "Each Friday I would say, "We'll get back out on the road Monday.' Each Monday I would find an excuse to wait one more week. I knew then my heart was not in this race."

Jennings said the thought of not being in office after spending almost half of her 51 years in public office "is a little scary but I know new challenges lie ahead."

Jennings just completed an unprecedented four years as president of the Senate and won plaudits from the state's teacher unions and environmentalists.

"I'm flabbergasted," said Rep. John Cosgrove, the Miami Democrat who is seeking his party's nomination for the job. "She would have been a tough opponent."

Democrats were gleeful.

"She was the best chance that the Republicans had for that seat," said Democratic Party Chairman Bob Poe.

Her decision also was good news to former Rep. Tim Ireland, a Fort Myers Republican.

Ireland has raised less than $300,000 for his campaign but said he expects that will immediately change.

"I'm very surprised, very surprised," Ireland said Wednesday.

Staff Writers Jo Becker, Tim Nickens and Martin Dyckman contributed to this report.

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