Republicans came out in droves last week to tee off on Charlie Crist as he launched his bid to challenge Rick Scott. One of the GOP leaders who took a few whacks at the former governor was once a close friend and ally of Crist's who could be looking to make a political comeback down the road -- George LeMieux.
Most of LeMieuxs political life has been spent in Crists shadow. When Crist was attorney general, LeMieux was his chief deputy. LeMieux helped lead Crists gubernatorial campaign in 2006 and, after the win, served as the new governors chief of staff. When Mel Martinez resigned his seat in the U.S. Senate, Crist appointed LeMieux to the job.
At first LeMieux was seen as a mere placeholder, especially as Crist was running for the Senate seat himself. But something happened in Washington during LeMieuxs 17 months there. He won praise from Senate leaders like Mitch McConnell and John McCain and became something of an expert on federal fiscal policy. Conservative columnists loved LeMieuxs call to return federal spending to 2007 levels. While he made no effort to stay in the Senate in 2010, LeMieux turned his eyes to taking on Bill Nelson in 2012.
Even as his old ally left the GOP to run for the Senate with no party affiliation, LeMieux deftly handled his connections with Crist. LeMieux quickly jumped on the Marco Rubio bandwagon. When he ran for the Senate in 2012, LeMieux would go out of his way to express his disappointment in Crist, despite their past ties, and he would also add that many Republicans across the state shared the same feelings.
As Republicans looked to make hay out of Crists untrustworthiness in the early stages of the gubernatorial campaign, LeMieux resurfaced and was front and center in attacking his former ally. On Monday, the day Crist jumped in the race, LeMieux was given the first opportunity by the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) to go after the former governor.
During his Senate bid, LeMieux showed no hesitation in throwing mud. While he dropped out of the race a few weeks before the primary, LeMieuxs attacks on Connie Mack helped set the stage for that Republicans underwhelming bid against Nelson. Much of the attacks Nelson used on Mack had been part of the LeMieux playbook and they were stunningly effective.
Its easy to forget LeMieux is only 44. Hes young for a politician but the Republican bench in Florida is starting to get a little crowded -- and some of the other GOP leaders LeMieux has to keep an eye on are the same age or younger. The likes of Jeff Atwater, Will Weatherford, Adam Putnam, Ron DeSantis and Tom Rooney could be looking to move up the Republican escalator. LeMieux starts at a disadvantage to some of these other Republicans if he wants to return to the Senate in 2016 or 2018. If he wants another shot at the Senate, LeMieux needs to do something to remain visible and help his standing with the voters, especially his fellow Republicans.
Crists political comeback is a blessing for LeMieux. Republicans have never forgiven Crist for leaving their party and dashing left. Nobody knows Crist better than LeMieux and Floridians should expect to see the former senator quite a bit in the months ahead. As Mack can attest, LeMieux has a gift for going on the attack. Crist will find that out for himself in the course of the campaign as LeMieux looks to put himself back on center stage.
Tallahassee freelance political writer Jeff Henderson wrote this analysis exclusively for Sunshine State News.
