Likely Martinez replacement: FSU Chairman Jim Smith

by Michael C. Bender | August 7th, 2009

Attorney General Jim Smith announcing his candidacy for Governor at a 1986 press conference in Tallahassee | State Archives of Florida.

Jim Smith is Gov. Charlie Crist’s likely pick to replace U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, a key Republican source has told The Palm Beach Post.

Smith, the FSU Board of Trustees chairman, is a former state attorney general and secretary of state. He sided with Crist’s GOP opponent, Tom Gallagher, in 2008, but his son-in-law, Brian Ballard, is a close ally of Crist’s.

Smith

Smith and Ballard were not immediately available for comment. Reasons the pick would make sense: Smith would not be likely to run for re-election and has an “elder statesman” profile that could earn Crist points for making a solid pick.

In 2002, Smith was appointed by then-Gov. Jeb Bush to fill the vacancy of Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris, who left the position after being elected to the U.S. House. Smith served in the same office from 1987 to 1995. He was also state attorney general from 1979 to 1987.

Developing….

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Tags: Charlie Crist, Jim Smith, Mel Martinez

This entry was posted on Friday, August 7th, 2009 at 12:19 pm and is filed under 2010 campaigns, Michael C. Bender. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

6 Responses to “Likely Martinez replacement: FSU Chairman Jim Smith”

1. Cynical Idealist Says:
   August 7th, 2009 at 12:39 pm

   Charlie couldn’t pick a better candidate to replace Mel.

   Jim’s service to the state over several decades and his level-headed approach to issues and people will stand him in good stead in Washington.

2. Post On Politics » Blog Archive » Post on Politics - Says:
   August 7th, 2009 at 12:39 pm

   [...] on other political blogs? « Crist told to ‘refocus’ stimulus spending Likely Martinez replacement: FSU Chairman Jim Smith [...]

3. Michelle Obama Says:
   August 7th, 2009 at 1:09 pm

   This Hispanic Liberal Martinez will be missed by my peoples change of the USA. Mel voted more as a democrat than a Repupican.
   Thansk for voting for Sotomayor and her racist biased opinions. We are close to bringing down the ole whitey world.

4. Biggie Says:
   August 7th, 2009 at 1:34 pm

   Yaaay we got an old redneck, has been ,political hack with no long term plans for a senator!!!!!

5. Shea Says:
   August 7th, 2009 at 2:33 pm

   Crist will only ask himself one question when picking a replacement, “How does it affect my run” Period!

6. Updated: Latest Headlines « PoliticsFLA Says:
   August 7th, 2009 at 3:28 pm

   [...] Post: Likely Martinez replacement FSU Chairman Jim Smith Herald: Video: What did Charlie Crist know about Martinez and when did he know it? . [...]