The alliance between Gov. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and former Miami Mayor Maurice Ferre, a Democrat, continued this week.
Scott announced on Wednesday he was keeping Ferre and former Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissioner Kenneth Wright on the Florida Transportation Commission. Both Ferre and Wright will serve until September 2018.
Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Ferre, now 79, served in the Florida House during the 1960s. He served as mayor of Miami from 1975 until 1983 and later was on the Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners. Ferres most recent attempts at political comebacks have not been successful, failing in a bid to be mayor again in 2001 and carrying 5 percent in the 2010 Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate.
When first named by Scott to the Transportation Commission in 2011, Ferre ranked as one of the most high-profile Democrats appointed by the Republican governor. Ferre had broken with his party to endorse Scott during the 2010 election cycle, backing the Republican candidate over Democratic nominee former state CFO Alex Sink.
Ferre returned to the Democratic fold last summer when he endorsed former Florida Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich for governor back in July. But Ferre held his fire and did not attack Scott as he endorsed Rich.
Im strongly supporting Nan Rich because she is the candidate with a clear vision for Floridas future that genuinely puts the needs of people first, Ferre said in his endorsement. Her unwavering commitment to improving Floridas public schools, fighting for social justice, and protecting individual rights, clearly demonstrate her character and priorities. She is exactly the kind of person and leader we need as our governor.
I am sincerely honored to have Mayor Ferres support and endorsement, Rich said. His vision and leadership inspired confidence, stimulated investment, and reshaped the face of Miami. As the first Hispanic mayor of a major American city, he also opened the door of opportunity for all who followed. His experience and insight will be a valuable asset to our campaign.
Rich came up short in the August primary to former Gov. Charlie Crist, a former Republican who abandoned the GOP to run for the U.S. Senate with no party affiliation in 2010 before joining the Democrats after the 2012 elections. When Ferre entered the Democratic Senate primary in the 2010 election cycle, Crist was the favorite for the Republican nomination.
After Crist defeated Rich, Ferre came back to Scott, endorsing him and even starring in a Spanish-language TV ad the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) launched back in October.Ferre appeared in the ad with former Gov. Luis Fortu, R-Puerto Rico.
Scotts working on improving our states transportation and that creates jobs," Ferre said in a translation of the ad.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
