Scott retools team amid poll numbers scraping bottom
by John Kennedy | June 23rd, 2011With approval ratings scraping bottom and his name a virtual laugh line for Democrats, Gov. Rick Scott is retooling his leadership team, with a pair of top aides departing and a veteran government insider expected to join the administration.
Scott Chief-of-Staff Mike Prendergast, a retired Army colonel, was officially moved Wednesday to executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, taking with him his $150,000 salary and becoming one of the governor’s best-paid agency heads.
The move came a day after Mary Anne Carter, a top Scott adviser, announced she will leave at the end of the month. Carter guided Scott’s campaign last summer, helping the former health care executive win his first run for elected office — powered by spending $73 million of his own cash.
Meanwhile, Senate President Mike Haridopolos’ chief-of-staff, Steve MacNamara, is considered a likely successor to Prendergast. MacNamara served in a similar role in the House, led a state agency and is a tenured professor at Florida State University.
“Steve is a master of the business of politics and policy,” said Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, in line to become Senate president next year. “He would be a real asset to this governor.”
While high-profile staff changes are not unusual, Scott’s recent predecessors, former Govs. Charlie Crist and Jeb Bush, managed to get through at least the first year without an overhaul.
Scott, who will reach his six-month mark in office July 4, may feel some urgency to re-pivot because of recent polls.
Full story, here: http://bit.ly/mCfRoz
Tags: Mary Anne Carter, Mike Prendergast, Sen. Don Gaetz, Steve MacNamara
June 23rd, 2011 at 1:53 pm
TOO LATE RICH SCOTT! YOUR GOOSE HAS BEEN COOKED!
June 23rd, 2011 at 1:55 pm
GOLDEN EGG LOOKS LIKE HE IS SCRAMBLED NOW! MR EGGHEAD HIMSELF KNOWS HE IS THE WORST GOVERNOR FLORIDA HAS EVER HAD.
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:29 pm
Start at the TOP.
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:54 pm
Maybe you teabaggers got it wrong, huh? How’s that “Let’s get to Work” thingy workin’ for ya?
June 23rd, 2011 at 8:42 pm
This is living proof that having $217 million STILL can’t help a person who is MORALLY BANKRUPT!
June 24th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
Funny. The best paid at a time we the taxpayers don’t have a extra dime to spend. He does get retirement pay so he could have taken less. Cheaper government Mr Scott. You have the worst approval rating.