James Grant wont be representing Tampa Bay when the Legislature convenes in March but that just might be all right with him as he looks ahead to the future.
Grant was caught in the legal mess of a judge improperly throwing his write-in opponent off the ballot in this years general election. Rick Scott set a special election on Monday and Grant will run again for the seat which represents parts of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Grant will be a heavy favorite to win the special primary on Feb. 10 and then the special general election on April 21.
But despite all the hassle, Grant could end up with the last laugh. First elected in 2010, Grant is only 32 and has strong roots in the area. His father John Grant served 20 years in both chambers of the Legislature. Despite his age, Grant was starting to move up the ranks in his second term, serving as vice chair of the State Affairs Committee.
Grant can now go even higher. Now out of his seat, Grants clock resets on term limits. If he wins early next year -- and he is a strong favorite to win his fourth election in a row -- Grant wont be term-limited until 2024. With his previous experience and his pedigree, Grant will be a strong contender to be House speaker in his own right. Hes certainly helped by Republican candidates with fewer Tallahassee connections running in House special elections over in Northeast Florida, though Paul Renner has shown the ability to attract the GOP leaderships attention and support.
Theres another wild card in the mix that helps the former state representative. Both first elected in 2010, Grant is close to Richard Corcoran who will take over as speaker from Steve Crisafulli after the 2016 elections. That connection should help position Grant if he wants to be House speaker following the 2022 elections. Corcoran is not exactly the type to shy away from trying to shape the GOP and the legislative leadership, especially if he can help an ally become speaker down the road.
Grant would have been a player over the next four years had his election not been thrown out. But now he is set to be an even larger factor in the Florida House for the better part of 10 years if his luck holds. Even though he wont be in the Legislature when it convenes, Grant could make out as one of the biggest winners of the 2014 legislative elections in the long haul.
Tallahassee political writer Jeff Henderson wrote this analysis piece exclusively for Sunshine State News.
