Crist adds 3 former Congressmen to ever-growing U.S. Senate list
by Dara Kam | August 23rd, 2009Gov. Charlie Crist added three more Florida politicians to his possible appointees to fill U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez’ soon-to-be-vacated seat.
Former U.S. Reps. Mike Bilirakis, Lou Frey and Clay Shaw are now among the candidates Crist is considering, bringing his list to ten.
Shaw, a Fort Lauderdale Republican, served in Congress for more than 25 years. His district includes part of southern Palm Beach County.
Last week, Crist asked conservative favorite former House Speaker who later became a powerful state senator Daniel Webster to apply for the post. Crist is also considering former chief of staff George LeMieux, who ran Crist’s gubernatorial campaign and remains a close ally.
Crist said this weekend that he wants to fill the post by Sept. 8, the day when Congress reconvenes after a summer break.
Tomorrow, Crist will interview Shaw in South Florida, Bilirakis and former U.S. Rep. Bill Young in Tampa. He’ll also meet with Frey and former Florida Cabinet member Jim Smith, a Tallahassee lobbyist who served as both attorney general and secretary of state, in Tallahassee tomorrow, according to Crist spokeswoman Erin Isaac.
Crist, who is running in a GOP primary against former House Speaker Marco Rubio to replace Martinez, said previously “it is understood” that he’ll appoint someone who will not run against him next year.
Tags: 2010 campaigns, Charlie Crist, Clay Shaw, Dan Webster, Daniel Webster, elections, Lou Frey, Marco Rubio, Mel Martinez, Mike Bilirakis, Republican primary, Republicans, U.S. Senate
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Sentenced to die for crimes judged heinous and cruel, inmates await execution in a 9 feet by 6 feet cell.
August 23rd, 2009 at 1:30 pm
[...] Post: Crist adds 3 former Congressmen to ever-growing U.S. Senate list Herald: Jennifer Carrol: Rare breed of Republican is on Crist’s list Times-Union: Records of career politicians seeking return to Senate in District 8 are open game [...]
August 23rd, 2009 at 1:41 pm
This quote alone…….
Crist, said “it is understood” that he’ll appoint someone who will not run against him next year……
should disqualify him from seeking that office and conducting business as an professional politician due to it’s implied manipulation of the system. A true professional would appoint the best person for the State regardless of either ones future political intentions.
August 23rd, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Veteran health care is killing service connected disabled veterans off. The VA is doing what the enemy didn’t do. The representatives in Washington DC have approved this action as well as approved the fighting of wars. They have done this in the words of Security, Freedom, and God. It is all about money for themselves and their friends and family who receive the out sourced contracts for each activity.
August 23rd, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Crist is NOTHING but a slimy politician! He is playing this appointment process to get free press every day of the week. He is insulting so many people who he has no intention of appointing. If he had an interest in serving Floridians, he would have already chosen a replacement for Martinez but no, he’s interested in playing his name in the press. He’s an empty suit, scumbag politician.
August 23rd, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Lovenquth & Joe, I agree completely. Now is the time for leadership not self serving twits like Crist. He was reported in the Palm beach post to say he left a note at the wailing wall
” for god to protect Florida from hurricanes and difficulties”
I guess that let him off the hook if anything happens to Florida. Paddering politics….
August 28th, 2009 at 10:48 am
[...] has a list of about 10 possible appointees, including his former chief of staff George LeMieux and former Florida Cabinet member Jim [...]