There's a Reason Ambitious Politicians Avoid the Lt. Gov. Spot

Quite a few Republicans have taken their names out of contention for being considered Rick Scotts running mate. Recent media reports have indicated that Rep. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, and former Jacksonville Mayor John Delaney said they were not interested.And who can blame them? As Jeff Kottkamps bid for the Republican attorney general nomination shows, the position is not exactly a launching pad for future political ambitions. Nor is it that well-established in Florida politics.

The Republicans added the position during Reconstruction and it was removed in the 1880s under the Redeemer Democrats. It came back into existence during the constitutional reforms pushed by Gov. Claude Kirk in the late '60s. While there are some familiar names in the position, none of the lieutenant governors had much success in using the post as a springboard for other elected offices.