Florida has a new Chief Financial Officer: Gov. Rick Scott named former Republican House Rep. Jimmy Patronis Florida's next CFO on Monday.
“I am honored to appoint Jimmy Patronis as Florida’s Chief Financial Officer,” said Scott Monday. “As a small business owner, Jimmy has been a successful job creator and has helped grow Panama City’s economy. I know that he will bring his wealth of private sector experience with him to Tallahassee.
“Jimmy faithfully served Floridians in the Florida House of Representatives for four terms, and I was proud to appoint him to both the Constitution Revision Commission and the Public Service Commission. In each of these roles, Jimmy always put Florida families first. I am confident that he will add to our mission to cut even more taxes and create even more jobs.”
Scott made the announcement at Captain Anderson's restaurant in Panama City, which the Patronis family has owned and operated for half a century. The Associated Press' Gary Fineout first reported the news Sunday afternoon.
Patronis will replace Jeff Atwater, who stepped down from the Cabinet position to take a job as Florida Atlantic University's Chief Financial Officer and president of strategic initiatives.
Patronis currently serves as a commissioner on the Florida Public Service Commission and has been a strong backer of Scott since he first popped onto the Florida political scene in 2010.
An early backer of the governor, who was then a political nobody, Patronis quickly became a close Scott ally throughout the years.
He served in the state legislature for eight years before being appointed by Scott to the FPSC in 2014.
“This year marks the 50th anniversary of my family starting a business in Florida, and it has been my honor to be a part of its growth and success for much of my life,” Patronis said Monday. “I want every family in Florida to have the same opportunities that my family had. As Florida’s next CFO, I want Florida to be the place where government does its job fairly and predictably so workers can find great jobs at great businesses.”
In a rare opportunity, Scott has the chance to appoint someone to the four-member Cabinet who will almost assuredly vote in lockstep with him moving forward.
Other possible names had been floating around to replace Atwater for months, from former Republican Party of Florida chairman and Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, state Rep. Joe Gruters, Sen. Tom Lee and former state Sen. Pat Neal, who made a huge push for the appointment.
Scott's appointment was rumored to be a selection based on loyalty and the underlying implication that whoever was selected would not run for the office in 2018.
Several legislators were pondering bids for the job, including Sen. Tom Lee, who was passed over for the job.
No Republicans had formally announced their intentions to run for the seat, but former state Sen. Jeremy Ring had already filed for the position.
Scott will also make announcements in Tampa and Pensacola.
The governor also thanked Jeff Atwater for his service in the job he held since 2011.
"Thanks @JeffAtwater for your years of service to families & stewardship of tax dollars," Scott wrote on Twitter. "Wishing you the best at @FloridaAtlantic."
Patronis will be officially sworn into the job Friday.
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
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