Why Charlie Crist won’t appoint himself to the U.S. Senate
by Michael C. Bender | August 7th, 2009Even though he wants the job, Gov. Charlie Crist says he won’t appoint himself to replace Mel Martinez in the U.S. Senate.
It’s a wise choice. Of the eight governors who did just that, seven lost their election bid to hold the seat.
See the list of the jump.
Montana, 1933 — Sen. Thomas Walsh (D) died. Gov. John Erickson (D) appointed self, lost 1934 primary.
Kentucky, 1939 — Sen. Marvel Logan (D) died. Gov. Happy Chandler (D) appointed self, won elections in 1940 and 1942.
Nevada, 1945 — Sen. James Scrugham (D) died. Gov. Edward Carville (D) appointed self, lost 1946 primary.
Idaho, 1945 — Sen. John Thomas (R) died. Gov. Charles Gossett (D) appointed self, lost 1946 primary.
Wyoming, 1960 — Sen.-elect Keith Thomson (R) died. Gov. John J. Hickey (D) appointed self, lost 1962 election.
New Mexico, 1962 — Sen. Dennis Chavez (D) died. Gov. Edwin Mechem (R) appointed self, lost 1964 election.
Oklahoma, 1963 — Sen. Robert Kerr (D) died. Gov. J. Howard Edmondson (D) appointed self, lost 1964 primary.
South Carolina, 1965 — Sen. Olin Johnston (D) died. Gov. Donald Russell (D) appointed self, lost 1966 primary.
Minnesota, 1977 — Sen. Walter Mondale (D) elected vice president. Gov. Wendell Anderson (D) appointed self, lost 1978 election.
Source: NPR.org
Tags: Charlie Crist, Mel Martinez



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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 7th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
He should appoint himself. Then he will at least have a few months as a Senator. No way anyone in Florida should vote for this self centered, just get-a-head (pardon the pun) politician. He is so see through.
What’s in it for Charlie???? Screw the people of Florida.
Remember” Your taxes are going to drop like a rock”? Sorry folks I’m now running for the Senate so I have to come up with a whole slew of new lies to feed you.
DO NOT VOTE FOR Crist
August 8th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Honorable Charlie Crist as a Republican will play it safe and appoint someone that is basically an unknown with neutral views and the stand in will not get ahead of the Big Train arriving to Washington DC in November January 2011.
On the other hand it would be refreshing if Honorable Crist would gamble and appoint Donald Trumph then he could go around the Senate telling the fellow Republicans “YOUR FIRED” (only joking) At least Donald Trumph would put hair back on the Agenda for ET.
August 20th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
charlie is a rino , and jim greer his front man ,is putting pressure on all the parties in florida . palm beach county had a censure and a straw vote . the votes were 66-66 and 65-65- .the charman voted first , i thought the chair voted only to break a tie vote. when are they going to announce the corrected vote count and show that rubio won?