Oh, Look, We Already Have Front Runners for 2014

It's a sign of just how much dominance Charlie Crist has in Florida politics that both races he could conceivably run in 2010 - Governor or, less likely, Senator - are having a hard time attracting big name candidate, but the next open race in Florida - for Governor all...

By Kyle Munzenrieder

January 30, 2009

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It's a sign of just how much dominance Charlie Crist has in Florida politics that both races he could conceivably run in 2010 - Governor or, less likely, Senator - are having a hard time attracting big name candidate, but the next open race in Florida - for Governor all the way in 2014, barring Bill Nelson's retirement - already have front runners on both sides.

After Democratic CFO Alex Sink decided not to seek the senate seat or challenge Charlie in 2010, it was widely assumed she'd run for Governor in 2014.

Meanwhile Republican Congressman Adam Putnam is laying the groundwork, and taking a lot of risks, for a possible run that year also. Putnam got elected to the US House in 2000 at the young age of 26. In February 2006 he became the 5th highest ranking member of the Republican House leadership after being elected chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee, just 10 months latter he got bumped up to House Republican Conference Chairman, the third highest ranking position. Though, perhaps his greatest achievement in Washington was earning the accolade of the House's official "Howdy Doody-looking Nimrod," bestowed apon him by Rep. Robert Marion Berry.

He didn't return to a leadership position though in this session of congress, and it seems like he's set to exit Washington in 2010 by running for Agriculture Commissioner. After gaining some state-wide name recognition, he'd be in a sweet spot to run for Governor in 2014, at the rip old age of 40.

And you thought obsessing about elections that were two years away was overdoing it. But, maybe you're right, who cares? The world is supposed to end in 2012 anyway.

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