Former Democratic state Sen. Nan Rich is up off the mat since her primary defeat to Charlie Crist, preparing to run in 2016 for a seat on the Broward County Commission.
Rich told Sunshine State News Friday, "I was approached by some term-limited commissioners who think I could fill a void in Broward."
Rich said what sold her was, as the commission loses advocates for programs dealing with senior citizens, children, juvenile justice and Medicaid, Broward citizens will need a commissioner who can hit the ground running on human services issues -- which happen to be her signature issues.
Rich, 73, lives in Weston, in Commission District 1. It is now represented by Marty Kiar, who is giving up his seat to run for Broward property appraiser. She represented southwest Broward in the state House from 2000 to 2004, then the state Senate from 2004 to 2012.
"I feel good about this," she said, "because the commissioners who are leaving or who just left focused on areas I know I can help with. We have a lot of seniors in this county, for example."
Commissioner Sue Gunzburger, term-limited in 2014, was just honored for her commitment to senior citizens; Commissioner Kristin Jacobs, a champion for the environment, was elected to the state House in 2014; and Commissioner Lois Wexler, who has served as the county's conscience on juvenile justice and children's issues, will be term-limited in 2016.
Rich acknowledged that during the governor's race she pooh-poohed any future interest in serving on the Broward County Commission. "I was running for governor then, I wasn't thinking about anything else. That wasn't the time to ask me if there might be a commission seat in my future."
She said she feels as if she's completed a bounce-back. "People know who I am now, know what I stand for," she said. "I know I'll have challengers, but I can't worry about them. I have a lot of experience I think will help Broward citizens. I'm going to just take the opportunities I get this year to talk to them, acquaint myself with all the needs of the community."
Rich likely will do battle with Broward Democratic Chair Mitch Ceasar, cobbling together support for his own District 1 commission run now. Those close to Ceasar say he is waiting until spring to announce.
Rich said she looks forward to concentrating on her home county, but is grateful for the friends she's made around the state. "I'm still getting invitations to speak and I always try to make it. It's a way to say thank you to the wonderful supporters I had in the Democratic primary."
Rich will travel to Clay County Jan. 24, asked to speak at the annual Clay County Democratic Executive Committee dinner.
Reach Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestatenews.com or at 228-282-2423.
