Former state Sen. Rod Smith is expected to make a political comeback in 2016 as he sets his sights on returning to Tallahassee.
After coming up short against then U.S. Rep. Jim Davis, D-Fla., in the 2006 gubernatorial race and losing in 2010 as then state CFO Alex Sink’s running mate on the Democratic gubernatorial ticket, Smith led the Florida Democratic Party, helping President Barack Obama and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., win reelection in 2012.
Smith bowed out of politics for a few years, foregoing a second gubernatorial bid in 2014, as he focused on a family illness. But there are signs that Smith’s getting politically active again with buzz growing that he intends to make a return to the Florida Senate.
Sources tell Sunshine State News that Smith is seriously considering running for the state Senate in the aftermath of the latest round of redistricting. Smith would run for an open seat consisting of all of Alachua and Putnam counties as well as the northern part of Marion County. Both Democrats and Republicans familiar with Smith’s Alachua County home base expect him to mount a comeback with most of them pointing to state Rep. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville, as his likely Republican opponent.
“Smith would be tough to beat in a presidential year,” a leading Alachua County Republican told Sunshine State News. “He’ll bring in his Gainesville base and there are some Republicans who like him and will vote for him.”
While Smith did not return messages left at his office, he has been more active in politics in recent weeks, including meeting with prominent Democrats in Tallahassee last month. Smith is also playing an increasingly vocal role for U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., as he runs for the U.S. Senate in 2016.
Earlier this week, Murphy trotted Smith out to go after U.S Rep. Alan Grayson’s, D-Fla., work for an offshore hedge fund.
"Congressman Grayson's actions are unacceptable,” Smith said. “As public servants, we have to dutifully protect the trust of the people and he has not only violated that trust, but abused his position for personal gain. He needs to shut down his hedge funds immediately."
Democrats have the registration edge in this district but races have often proved to be close here. Obama edged former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., here in the 2012 presidential election but Nelson did far better here, besting then U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, R-Fla., by 15 percent in that year’s Senate election. With Smith on the ticket, Sink beat out Republican Rick Scott here 52 percent to 48 percent in the 2010 gubernatorial race.
Smith is well known in North Central Florida. A longtime attorney in the area, Smith was first elected to the Florida Senate in 2000 and stayed there until he ran for governor in 2006. Smith is currently a partner at Avera & Smith in Gainesville and has taught law at the University of Florida and Santa Fe College.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
