After 10 Glorious Years, Sunshine State News and I Are Passing the Baton

The woman who helped diversify the Republican Party of Hillsborough County over her almost 20-year tenure as its leader died Wednesday at the age of 88. Margie Kincaid, who served as chairwoman of the party from 1984 to 2003, is credited with opening the doors of the party to non-traditional Republicans and minorities at a time when Republicans were struggling against a powerful Democratic majority. Kincaid, who succeeded her husband as head of the party, was removed as the party chairwoman at the end of her tenure due to allegations of financial misconduct.

U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta, has been appointed to the House Committee on Agriculture, becoming the only member of the Florida delegation serving on either the House or Senate ag panels. Rooney's selection was a good one, considering that his 16th Congressional District is one of the largest farming areas in the country. The district spans the width of the Florida peninsula north of Miami and south of Orlando.

In the run-up to the fall elections, a new USA Today poll shows waning enthusiasm by Democrats. The survey found just 35 percent of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters who said they were "more enthusiastic than usual" about voting in November. That's a 22-point drop since March, and the lowest level for Democrats since 1998. By contrast, 53 percent of Republicans say they are "more enthusiastic than usual." That's a 16 percentage-point drop since March, but still an 18-point edge over Democrats. Getting John McCain off the top of the ticket obviously helps.

Both U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam and former Tallahassee Mayor Scott Maddox, who are both running for commissioner of agriculture and consumer services, claimed to have the backing of Bradford County Sheriff Gordon Smith. It turns out Smith was backing Maddox and is now backing Putnam.