Buddy MacKay Endorses Nan Rich Over Charlie Crist

Former Gov. Buddy MacKay endorsed former Florida Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich to take on Gov. Rick Scott in November. Rich is the underdog against former Gov. Charlie Crist for the Democratic nomination despite Crist joining the party in December 2012 after spending most of his political career as a Republican.

Now 80, MacKay has been active in Florida politics for decades. First elected to the Florida House in 1968, he was elected to the state Senate in 1974 before being elected to Congress in 1982 after a failed bid for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination in 1980. When MacKay stepped up to run for the U.S. Senate in 1988, he was defeated by Republican Connie Mack. MacKay bounced back in 1990 when he was elected lieutenant governor as Lawton Chiles running mate. Despite losing to Republican Jeb Bush in the 1998 gubernatorial election, MacKay would serve three weeks as governor after Chiles died in December of that year.

The veteran Democrat insisted Rich was the one true Democrat in the race, as opposed to Crist, and praised her liberal credentials.

We need a strong Democrat to lead Florida again, and Nan Rich is the one true Democrat in the race for governor, MacKay said on Tuesday. Ive known Nan since before she was first elected to the Legislature. We worked together on many issues to improve the lives of children and families. In the Legislature, we could always count on her to be an effective advocate for public schools, seniors, and social justice issues. Nan Rich has the skills and experience we need to lead Florida and get our state back on the right track. She has my support and shell have my vote on Election Day.