FL SEN: Candidates Respond To LeMieux Appt
FL's got a new senator, lobbyist and lawyer George LeMieux, who'll replace retiring Sen. Mel Martinez (R) when the Senate returns to D.C. 9/8.
Gov. Charlie Crist (R) made the pick today, after several weeks of speculation about who would replace the first-term Sen. Martinez. Crist's decision to select a close ally and ex-CoS has the potential to make waves in the '10 SEN race, which Crist is hoping to win.
Some insights into how the selection will play out became clearer today as the men hoping to deny Crist Martinez' seat next fall weighed in on the Sunshine State's new junior senator. Both are attacking the pick as cronyism, with Meek going so far as to say Crist "added another addition to his campaign team at taxpayers' expense" after the appointment was made.
From ex-state House Speaker Marco Rubio (R):
"This is a disappointing appointment for Florida. George LeMieux is a talented political operative and the governor's best friend, but that doesn't make him the right choice to represent Florida in the Senate. Governor Crist had a wealth of consistent and principled conservative candidates to choose from, all of whom would have been a reliable check and balance on the excesses of the Obama-Pelosi-Reid agenda."
Rep. Kendrick Meek (D) released a statement, and is set to speak about the appointment later this afternoon at a press conf from his Miami camp HQ. Meek's statement:
Governor Crist was afforded a high responsibility with this appointment. Instead, he treated this process like a mockery, politicizing his selection by flying around the state at taxpayers' expense, touring major media markets and drawing this selection out. Well respected Floridians with a wealth of elected service experience ... were in a position to hit the ground running if appointed, but that possibility is now nonexistent. By appointing George LeMieux, Governor Crist's inner circle was rewarded with a U.S. Senate seat and Floridians are left lacking the representation they deserve"