Dean Cannon Focused on Private Sector, Not UF Presidency

Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, isnt running to be the next president of his alma mater, his office stated.

Cannons name has been floated after State University System Chancellor Frank Brogan on Monday said the University of Florida trustees shouldnt limit the search to replace its president strictly to the academic world.

But Cannons spokeswoman Katie Betta quickly dismissed the UF rumors.

Speaker Cannons primary occupation has always been and will continue to be in the private sector, Betta responded in an email. While he has a great affinity for the University of Florida, the speaker is not pursuing the presidency.

Quickly rumors had swirled that Cannon, who received his undergraduate degree in journalism from the Gainesville school in 1989 and graduated from the UF College of Law in 1992, was high on the list to replace Bernie Machen.

Machen, the president since 2004, announced last week he plans to retire from the top post next year. Meanwhile, Cannon, term-limited from the House and not a candidate for any other office this fall, hasnt announced future plans for when his term expires.