While Republican Party officials who backed Bill McCollum in the Republican governor primary put campaign accusations to sleep and embraceĀ Rick Scott, he has to find a running mate.
Miami Herald blog Naked Politics posted today that
Rick Scott has about 48 hours to find a partner to be his running mate, and some interesting names are now circulating. The campaign wonāt discuss names, but a spokesman says the Republican nominee wants somebody whoās not a political novice (like Scott) but also is loyal to his agenda and shares his philosophy.
Orange County Mayor Rick Crotty and former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker would add some gravitas to the ticket, and both are from the I-4 corridor. Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, would be a safe pick and is well regarded by fellow legislators. University of North Florida President John Delaneyās name comes up often, but he says no, having just signed a five year contract extension at UNF.
According to orangecountyfl.net, āRichard T. Crotty has served as Orange County Mayor since January 2001 when he was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush. Mayor Crotty won re-election in 2002 and 2006.ā
Rick Baker served as St. Petersburg mayor from 2001 through January 2010 and was hired in June by the University of South Florida as its first director of āinnovation partnerships.ā
Rep.Ā Bill Galvano has been in the state legislature since 2002.
