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Cabinet race still anyone's to grabBy ALISA ULFERTS, Times Staff Writer© St. Petersburg Times published September 7, 2002 TALLAHASSEE -- You know David Nelson, that blue-eyed, pink-cheeked astronaut who represents Florida in the United States Senate? No, no, no, that's BILL Nelson. DAVID Nelson is the Miami schoolteacher few people had heard of until he decided to run for agriculture commissioner. He shares a surname with the popular senator, which may account for his lead in the three-person Democratic primary for commissioner of agriculture and consumer services Sept. 10. Everglades activist Mary Barley and Winter Park veterinarian "Dr. Andy" Michaud are the other two candidates. The winner will face Republican incumbent Charles Bronson in November. Some 61 percent of Democrats haven't decided yet whom they'll vote for in the primary. But Nelson has picked up 20 percent of likely voters, according to a St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald poll. Barley showed 8 percent support among Democrats, compared with 4 percent for Michaud. "That's what some of the pollsters have told us -- they think there is some confusion with Bill Nelson," said Democratic Party chairman Bob Poe. Poe said the party isn't concerned about the confusion and doesn't get too involved with primary races. The winner in November will oversee agriculture and consumer programs and will be one of three members of a reorganized state Cabinet. Nelson, a Miami middle school teacher, has his own theory for why he's polling in front: "I just think I have a good message that people listen to." Nelson said he wants to focus on consumer services, and in particular the way the state regulates moving companies. His name recognition also is boosted in part by an independent group's television ad. Michaud spent part of his youth on a dairy farm and worked with cattle and horses before opening an animal hospital near Orlando. He has said he plans to look at improving meat quality and to ask why McDonald's buys beef from Australia. Barley, a wealthy developer who lives in the Keys, got off to a shaky start, switching parties and launching her campaign at the last minute. A lawsuit with the apparent backing of her Republican detractors accused Barley of letting a political consultant forge her name on a loyalty oath required of all candidates. Meanwhile, groups within the $1.3-billion citrus industry are running commercials against her, attacking her party switch. Barley is fighting back. She is scheduled to do a fly-around tour of the state today with former Gov. Buddy MacKay and attorney general candidate George Sheldon, both staunch Democrats, to prove her stripes. "Why are they afraid of me?" Barley asked about her citrus industry critics.
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From the Times state desk Lucy Morgan
From the state wire
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