As she looks at running again for governor,? ?former Florida CFO Alex Sink is in the odd position of being something of an afterthought in what is shaping up as one of the more compelling elections of? ?2014.
Sink certainly has strikes against her.? ?She has a less-than-engaging political personality and often came off as shrill toward the end of the? ?2010? ?election cycle.? ?Some of the other possible Democratic candidates have more compelling stories.? ?With all of his party switching and support of the Obama administration,? ?former Gov.? ?Charlie Crist will command national attention if he runs.? ?U.S.? ?Sen.? ?Bill Nelson,? ?D-Fla.,? ?has proven to be one of the leading Democrats in Florida over the course of four decades.? ?Having lost to Rick Scott,? ?Sink often is written off as yesterdays news.?
But Sink shouldnt be underestimated.? ?While she lost to Scott,? ?Sink kept it competitive despite? ?2010? ?being a banner year for Republicans across the nation.? ?The other Democratic candidates who ran for statewide office in Florida lost by double-digit margins.? ?Sink lost in the closest gubernatorial election in Florida history.?
Compared to other Democrats in Florida,? ?Sink has compiled some success.? ?In the last decade,? ?only three Democratic candidates have won statewide elections -- Barack Obama,? ?Bill Nelson and Alex Sink.? ?Polls have generally shown her ahead of Scott in a possible rematch.?
For most of her career,? ?Sink was in the private sector,? ?leading NationsBanks and later Bank of Americas operations in Florida.? ?While Sink often has portrayed herself as a fiscally responsible financial watchdog -- witness her role with Florida TaxWatch -- she has never attempted to portray herself as a conservative the way Charlie Crist did when he was a Republican.? ?With everyone from the Republican Party of Florida? (?RPOF?) ?to dark-horse Democratic candidate Nan Rich looking to remind Florida voters about Crists previous positions,? ?Sink could benefit as Democrats wonder if they can trust the former governor who spent years portraying himself as a conservative.?
After the death of her husband --? ?attorney Bill McBride, who ran against Jeb Bush in? ?2002 --? ?at the end of last year,? ?Sink is starting to become more active.? ?Earlier this month,? ?her Florida Next Foundation revamped their website and programs.? ?Sink was active at the Democrats? ?Jefferson Jackson Day dinner this past weekend leading to increased speculation that she will run again in? ?2014.? ?Sink has also drawn fire from the RPOF in recent days.? ?Saint Petersblog is reporting that a close ally of Sink is expecting her to make an announcement about her? ?2014? ?plans next month.?
If she jumps in,? ?Sink wont have much room to maneuver against Nelson.? ?But if she faces Crist,? ?while she would be an underdog,? ?Sink would have a chance against the former governor.? ?While she is often written off as a has-been whose window to be governor has closed,? ?Sink should prove a tough primary foe for Crist,? ?especially if he continues to draw fire.? ?If she runs in? ?2014,? ?Sink will prove more than just a speed bump on Charlie Crists road back to Tallahassee.?
Tallahassee freelance political writer Jeff Henderson wrote this piece exclusively for Sunshine State News.
