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Democrat leader supports Dantzler as a 'fresh face'By ADAM C. SMITH © St. Petersburg Times, published March 21, 1998 "A lot of people, and not just Democrats, are looking for a new face, a fresh face," House Democratic leader Buzz Ritchie said Monday. "Once (Dantzler) wins the primary, the state's really going to sit up and take notice, and he'll give the Democrats a viable chance to win the election." Ritchie, a 10-year representative from Pensacola, is expected to formally make his endorsement at a news conference today. In a news release, Danztler would not identify the endorsements planned today but said they show the momentum building in his campaign. "We are building bridges within the party. It's time for Democrats to unite, and that is the only way we will beat Jeb Bush." Dantzler, a former state senator from Winter Haven, is seeking the Democratic nomination, as are state Rep. Keith Arnold of Fort Myers and Lt. Gov. MacKay. The primary winner will face Jeb Bush. MacKay has long been the presumed Democratic nominee, but Democratic leaders have been increasingly vocal in second-guessing his electability. Last week, as Miami Herald publisher David Lawrence briefly considered stepping into the race, top Democrats were publicly talking up the need for an alternative to MacKay. But few party leaders have pointed to Dantzler or Arnold as that alternative. Some of his fellow Democratic senators, from liberals such as Ron Silver of North Miami Beach to conservatives such as George Kirkpatrick of Gainesville, recently hosted a fund-raiser for Dantzler in Tallahassee. Ritchie cited Dantzler's centrist appeal and his support among both environmental and business interests. The top Senate Democrat, Buddy Dyer of Orlando, downplayed the significance of Ritchie's endorsement. "I don't think it's any more significant than any of the other 54 House Democrats," he said. Doug Heyl, MacKay's campaign manager, also shrugged it off. "It's been clear that Buzz Ritchie hasn't been for this campaign all along," he said. "He's done nothing to bring the party together."
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ALLAHASSEE -- In another reminder of the tepid Democratic Party support for gubernatorial candidate Buddy MacKay, the top Democrat in the state House has thrown his support to underdog Rick Dantzler.
