Tom Rooney is throwing his name out as a possible U.S Senate candidate in either 2016 or 2018 and the congressman will be a major factor if he runs.
Plenty of congressmen like Jim Davis, Connie Mack and Bill McCollum failed in their attempts to move up to statewide office in Florida. But Rooney has a far more compelling background and it will help him if he gets in.
The grandson of Pittsburgh Steelers founder Art Rooney, the congressman, after graduating from college, worked for Connie Macks Senate mail room. Rooney cites it as a formative experience which gave him insight into understanding the issues confronting everyday Floridians. After going to law school, Rooney joined the Army, served in the JAG Corps and taught classes at West Point. He returned to Florida and became an assistant attorney general.
Despite his pedigree and credentials, Rooneys electoral career appeared stalled before it even started. He had no easy task in the Republican primary to challenge Democratic Congressman Tim Mahoney in 2008, but he defeated Gayle Harrell to secure the GOPs nomination. For most of the campaign, Mahoney appeared headed to a victory over Rooney, but the incumbent was plagued with reports of extramarital affairs in the final weeks of the election, including one with a staffer who received more than $120,000 from him. It was a good year for Democrats but Rooney won big, taking 60 percent in the general election while Mahoney finished with less than 40 percent of the vote. While Rooney switched from the Palm Beach area to being more in the center of the state after redistricting, he has easily kept his place in the House.
Rooney has been prominent on a number of different fronts during his time in Congress, including the War on Terror, environmental affairs, foreign policy and agriculture, especially on citrus and cattle issues. He has also been a major critic of the Obama administration, never a bad thing to point out in a Republican primary.
With a growing profile, Rooney, who is only 44, could soon be facing opportunities if he wants to follow in Macks footsteps. Rooney had been looking at 2018 but Rick Scotts recent noise about challenging Bill Nelson could speed up his plans. If Marco Rubio announces next week that he will run for president, Rooney could easily be in the mix to replace him.
Rooney will be part of a crowded field if he runs in 2016. Jeff Atwater is clearly jumping in if Rubio doesnt run for another term. Will Weatherford would also take a hard look at entering the contest. Other congressmen -- Vern Buchanan, Ron DeSantis, Curt Clawson -- could also factor in. Carlos Lopez-Cantera also appears to be testing the waters.
But none of those Republicans -- even Atwater who holds statewide office -- are household names. Rooney has a compelling background ranging from the Steelers to Army service. While he is largely unknown outside his district, Rooney should not be underestimated if he runs.
Tallahassee political writer Jeff Henderson wrote this analysis exclusively for Sunshine State News.
