If Charlie Crist is going to try a comeback for the governors mansion, he would be seeking to work with a Legislature that would be even more conservative than when he was in office just two years ago. And it could be counted upon to be more hostile to his newfound leftward shift.
In fact, Tuesday showed that Tallahassees continued rightward focus in the past couple of sessions, backed by powerful business interests in the capital city, should continue through the decade.
The efforts of Sen. Jack Latvala, R-St. Petersburg, and others in the moderate camp that opposed privatization and school vouchers while supporting taxing Internet sales in the 2012 session were made a lot more difficult Tuesday as candidates who support the leadership hopes of Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, had a vastly more successful day.
Negron and Latvala have been competing through political committees to line up supporters in the Senate for their presidential aspirations in 2016, following the terms of Senate President-designate Don Gaetz, R-Niceville in 2012, and Sen. Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, in 2014.
Negron backers who included former Rep. Aaron Bean of Fernandina Beach and Rep. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, scored big victories for the next Budget Committee chairmans long-range leadership objective.
Rep. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, who is also not in the Latvala camp, claimed victory Tuesday.
Negron called the results a great night for Gaetz and Gardiner, adding that Republican voters in Florida were looking for strong leaders.
The senators-to-be, Bean, Stargel and Brandes, will be allies in the Senate of both Sen. Gaetz and Sen. Gardiner, Negron said. Theyre welcome additions to the agenda in the Senate.
Gaetz said he couldnt be more pleased with the results.
I think the victories that were won tonight by our candidates across the state confirm Republican voters desire to move this state forward, to create jobs through private-sector innovation and to look for real, practical solutions and get away from old political dogma.
The night was even bigger for the Florida Chamber of Commerce, which had six of its eight Senate-endorsed candidates win their contests.
Its exciting to see good pro-jobs, pro-business candidates being elected tonight, said Florida Chamber Senior Vice President of Political Strategy Marian Johnson.
The Senate upsets -- in the eyes of the chamber -- were in Democratic contests with Rep. Geraldine Thompson, D-Orlando, topping Victoria Siplin, the wife of outgoing Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando.
Latvala, who easily dispatched his primary opponent, was able to see some hope for his future prospects out of the key primary races as Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, advanced, but now faces a more difficult November contest against Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach.
Another early Latvala backer, Rep. John Legg, R-Port Richey, was a big Tuesday night winner, although it should be noted he was supported in the campaign also by the Gaetz-Negron faction.
Latvalas supporters claim those in his coalition are free to vote their conscience rather than strictly follow the Senate leadership.
Those expected to push Negron into the 2016 presidency should also shore up a more conservative agenda for Gaetz and Gardiner in support of universal vouchers, opposing taxing Internet sales and expanding the privatization of state functions.
Negron would become the fourth Senate president from the Northern Palm Beach to Space Coast region since 2007: Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie, 2007-2008; Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, 2009-2010; and Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, 2011-2012.
Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889.
