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Tom Lee to seek statewide post

The Senate president will run for chief financial officer, joining the House speaker in running for statewide office.

By STEVE BOUSQUET
Published June 24, 2005

TALLAHASSEE - Senate President Tom Lee, a Brandon Republican whose outspokenness has brought him admiration and criticism, is running for the statewide post of chief financial officer.

Lee's candidacy, combined with House Speaker Allan Bense's interest in a possible U.S. Senate bid, means the Legislature's two top leaders could be seeking statewide office while controlling the agenda in 2006, Jeb Bush's last year as governor. The general election is November 2006.

"We're on the cusp of a new day in politics in this country," Lee said. "The public is looking for people who are candid and straight talkers, and are willing to stand up and call them as they see them."'

Bense said he's considering challenging Rep. Katherine Harris, R-Sarasota, for the chance to oppose Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson. The speaker said he has been encouraged to run by the White House and the governor.

"My No. 1 priority is to be a good speaker, and that is one of the hardest things I have to sort through," Bense said Thursday.

Lee, a 43-year-old home builder, joins a wide-open field for a powerful office that regulates insurance and banking and pays all the state's bills. The CFO shares power with the governor, attorney general and agriculture commissioner on the Cabinet, which sets state policies on education, environment and other issues.

The other Republican CFO candidates are Sen. Charlie Clary of Destin and Rep. Randy Johnson of Celebration.

Clary called Lee a "real strong candidate" and said he would put his campaign on hold for the summer, but Johnson said he welcomed Lee to the race and the chance to talk about "our differing philosophies."

A fourth Republican, Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Lakeland, said he was unlikely to stay in the race because of a legal opinion that he would have to close his law practice if he won. "I'm not going to put my livelihood at risk to run for this," Ross said.

No Democrats have announced for the job, which pays $128,000 a year. It is open because incumbent Tom Gallagher is running for governor.

Lee's supporters say he is a refreshing departure from Tallahassee's go-along, get-along style. His critics - chiefly lobbyists - consider him sanctimonious, but keep their criticism private to avoid jeopardizing their clients' interests.

Lee's maverick style and open disdain for the influence of lobbyists have gained him a reputation as a political loner with no higher ambitions. As Lee himself once noted, "I didn't come here with a whole lot of friends, and I don't expect to leave with any."

But he recently concluded that a Cabinet office would give him a chance to continue shaping policy.

He made growth management a central issue of the 2005 session and has championed a more comprehensive approach to the state's budgeting system.

He also tried without success to force lobbyists to reveal how much money they make and spend entertaining individual legislators. House Republicans refused to go along.

Lee vowed not to change his style even though, as a candidate for a low-profile statewide office, he could be much more dependent on special interest campaign money to pay for TV ads getting his name before voters.

"If my political independence, my need to stand up for things I believe in, will preclude me from raising the resources I need to be successful, then I have no regrets," Lee said.

As Senate president for the next 17 months, Lee's power makes him a safe bet for prospective donors, especially those with legislative agendas. He also starts with $1.1-million in a political fund Lee formed to pay for TV ads to deflect criticism from his fellow Republican senators.

The fund, Floridians United for a Stronger Tomorrow, raised its money from a who's who of special interests: banks, insurers, health maintenance organizations, hospitals, law firms, racetracks and construction companies. But its Web site (www.flust.com) says the fund exists to "turn back the tide of special interests improperly influencing the way government does business."

The fund was the first of its kind in Florida to post all of its donations online within days, even though such disclosure is not required by law.

One Democrat who is expected to enter the race is retired banker Alex Sink, wife of the 2002 Democratic nominee for governor, Bill McBride.

"I'm leaning toward doing it. I'm about 85 percent of the way there," said Sink. "But I think my background really lends itself to doing a job like CFO, which really shouldn't even be a Democratic or Republican job."

Times staff writer Adam C. Smith contributed to this report.

[Last modified June 24, 2005, 00:45:09]