Few in Florida politics have risen to the top quite as quickly as Will Weatherford.
At 33, Weatherford sat at the helm of the Florida House of Representatives, the youngest presiding officer of any state legislature at the time.
It’s been a relatively quiet two years for Weatherford since he left the House, but the noise is growing louder for the Pasco County Republican to head to the governor’s mansion in 2018.
On Wednesday, Weatherford spoke with Sunshine State News in Tampa and toyed with the possibility of returning to the public sector, where he served from 2006 to 2014.
Weatherford said a comeback is definitely an option.
“I think at some point, I certainly will [return to public service,]” he said when asked about the possibility of running for governor in 2018. “I loved public service, it was a great opportunity.”
Weatherford acknowledged the need to get the ball rolling on a decision since time is a precious commodity in politics.
“I probably need to [get to the point] where if I want to look at 2018, I need to do that pretty soon,” he explained.
Weatherford is not the only one contemplating the state’s top job for 2018. Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam is a top contender for the job on the GOP front, already having raised millions of dollars for a possible gubernatorial campaign.
On the Democratic side, Orlando attorney and medical marijuana backer John Morgan is also a possible candidate, as are U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham and Tampa mayor Bob Buckhorn.
Running for governor, Weatherford said, is something that’s definitely on his mind.
“I’m thinking about that,” he told SSN.
Part of his hesitation comes from a busy life, managing familial obligations with an investment business he runs with his two brothers, Sam and Drew.
Getting back into the groove of politics, he explained, would require him to strike a harmonious balance between family, work and a political office.
“You have conflicting interests, so timing is really important,” he said. “But I love public service.”
Weatherford told the Tampa Bay Times he would make a decision on running for office in the next 45 days.
In the meantime, Weatherford is putting his name out in the community.
This week, he appeared at the announcement of a partnership between the Florida Department of Children and Families and Tony Dungy’s All Pro Dad organization about the importance of adoption in Florida.
Weatherford said adoption, like many topics in the Sunshine State, is something lawmakers have to discuss to spearhead any kind of change or progress.
“People don’t know a problem exists if we don’t talk about it, so it’s getting legislators to be proactive and involved in the issue and making people understand [that],” he said.
During his time as a state lawmaker, Weatherford enjoyed vast support from his fellow Republicans. When he ran for Speaker of the House, he sealed every vote for the position -- a job which he reflects upon fondly.
“Our state has a lot of unique challenges,” he said. “I enjoyed being a part of trying to solve some of them and maybe I’ll have the chance to do it again one day.”
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
