Thrasher to run for Senate
by Dara Kam | March 26th, 2009Former House Speaker-turned lobbyist John Thrasher will run for term-limited Sen. Jim King’s seat, Thrasher confirmed.
The Jacksonville Republican has not officially entered the race but said he will almost certainly jump in after the legislative session ends in May.
Thrasher, who served as speaker from 1998-2000, is a high-powered lobbyist for the Southern Strategy Group, whose clients include Disney World, Associated Industries and the Florida Hospital Association.
Thrasher is a close ally of former Gov. Jeb Bush. The duo cooked up a massive education overhaul on the back of a paper napkin in 1999 that abolished the Board of Regents, the panel that used to oversee the state university system.
Two years ago, Thrasher was the front-man in an effort to revoke petition signatures in the Hometown Democracy effort that would have made it more difficult to change comp plans.
Tags: elections, lobbyists, State Senate
March 26th, 2009 at 11:26 am
Great news. He is one of the best that ever served and God knows we need new leadership in the Legislature. He will certainly become Senate President. Good luck John. you have my vote.
March 26th, 2009 at 11:47 am
I would love to see one of these Republicans get a real job in live in real world, as opposed to political world where you get rich off your service and contacts. We are now seeing effects of Thrasher’s years runnning the House, and its a mess.
March 26th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Sam, You are wrong. Thrasher was the best house speaker the state of Florida has seen to date. He built his career on honesty and fair morals and is considered one of the few “good guys.” Besides, you can’t use your contacts unless you are well respected and according to Thrasher’s client list, it’s obvious he is.
March 26th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Great! They need adult supervision!
March 26th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
It is great to see a proven leader like Thrasher give up a lucrative business to come help lead Florida through this economic crisis. His ability to build consensus among both parties and tackle the tough issues we are facing today will serve us well. His call to public service is undeniable.
March 26th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
[...] this here well over a month ago, but today John Thrasher seemed to have cast any doubt aside—he will run for the State Senate seat being vacated by Jim King. [...]
March 27th, 2009 at 12:30 am
friedgator is part of the Florida Democratic Party working with Dan Gelber. He is part of their payroll and that is why he blogs left-leaning.
Ali Glisson is gatortater on the friedgator blog.
lame
August 16th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
John Thrasher is way to liberal. Check the way he voted on anything to do with IMMIGRATIONS, The way I look at it, He is part of the problem… We need patriots, not closet democrats … aka republicans with no balls.