These are not the best of times for Alex Sink as she tries to end her political losing streak.
After losing to Rick Scott back in 2010 by a narrow margin, Sink left the door open to a rematch. But few Democrats wanted to back her and she got shoved aside for former Republican Charlie Crist.
Things went from bad to worse for Sink. She backed Alex Clendenin to lead the Florida Democrats in early 2013 but he lost out to Allison Tant who had the support of the likes of Crist and Debbie Wasserman Schultz. A year ago this week, Sink announced she would not run for governor, preferring to make a difference in private life and it looked like her political career was done.
But a month later, Sink jumped into the special election for the congressional seat opened by Bill Youngs death, despite living outside the district. Democrats cleared the decks for Sink, and national figures, including Bill Clinton, pitched in. But when the dust settled, she lost out to David Jolly, a far lesser known figure who, unlike Sink, had to go through a primary. Despite being encouraged to run again, Sink opted out of a rematch against Jolly.
Sinks losing streak continued last month. Back in her Hillsborough County home turf, Sink campaigned with Sean Shaw who had worked for her up in Tallahassee and was running for an open Florida House seat. But despite Sink campaigning with him on primary day, Shaw lost out to Ed Narain.
Even as her losing streak continues, Sink shows no signs of going away even if she never runs for office again. Despite sending a few shots his way when she was mulling over running for governor again, Sink has offered some help for Crist, sending out emails, encouraging Democrats to support the former Republican.
Though she turned down the DCCCs pleas to run again against Jolly, Sink is going through some efforts to help stem the bleed Democrats will face in November. On Thursday, Sink sent out an email to supporters, encouraging them to financially back Steny Hoyers PAC.
Sink lost her husband Bill McBride, best known for running against Jeb Bush in 2002, at the end of 2012. Those in the know say McBride was always Sinks closest political adviser and his loss may have impacted her political maneuvers.
But Sink has also hurt her own standing by making one political bet after another. Despite being the only Democrat besides Bill Nelson to win a statewide office in recent years and being the only one of her partys nominees to come close in 2010, Sink is fading as a major figure for her party. Even with her efforts for Crist and Hoyer included in the equation, Sink is becoming less of a factor in Florida politics with each passing day.
Tallahassee-based political writer Jeff Henderson wrote this analysis exclusively for Sunshine State News.
