Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater announced he would be stepping down from his Cabinet position on Friday, and the rumor mill is already working overtime on who will be his replacement.
Atwater said he would be leaving his job as CFO after this year's legislative session ends, taking a job at Florida Atlantic University, where his children attended college.
Atwater has served as CFO since 2010.
It will now be up to Gov. Rick Scott to announce a replacement for Atwater for the remaining 18 months left of their terms.
Several names circulated quickly among Florida political insiders.
Many guess Scott will appoint a total loyalist to finish out as CFO but who, exactly, that might be is still anyone's guess.
Some say one of Scott's close friends Tom Grady, a Naples Republican who worked as commissioner of Florida Office of Financial Regulation, will be named to the job. Grady served one term in the Florida House and considered running for Attorney General, but never did. He served as interim chair for Citizens Property Alliance.
Former state representative and senator Pat Neal's name is also floating around as a possible replacement. While in the Senate, Neal chaired the Appropriations Committee. He toyed with the idea of being CFO when Atwater initially explored a job to be FAU's president.
Neal currently works as a real estate developer in Sarasota.
Sen. Tom Lee, former Senate budget chair, is also a possibility for the job. Lee spoke with POLITICO Florida, fanning the flames of his potential to become the new CFO on Friday.
“I have already spoke to someone in the governor’s sphere of influence,” Lee said. “We will see that the governor wants to do and when he wants to do it.”
Other names making their way through the rumor mill are Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, Jack Latavala. Lieutenant Gov. Carlos Lopez Cantera is also a possibility for the spot.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
