Jennings picked as first female lieutenant governor

The Miami Herald ^ | 3/3/03 | Peter Wallsten

[LdSentinal]

TALLAHASSEE - Toni Jennings, a former state Senate president and longtime legislator, was appointed today to be Florida's first female lieutenant governor.

Gov. Jeb Bush named his onetime rival within the Republican Party to the post in an afternoon press conference, calling her a ''hall of famer'' who brings the experience to work on some of the year's most difficult issues.

Bush, who had never held elected office before arriving in Tallahassee in 1999 and tussled at times with Jennings when she led the Senate, referred to his new sidekick's vast legislative experience as a key to his decision.

Bush chose Jennings over a list of finalists that included Miami state Rep. Gaston Cantens, who would have been Florida's first Hispanic lieutenant governor, and Jacksonville Mayor John Delaney.

Jennings considered challenging Bush for the GOP nomination for governor in 1998, and today's announcement puts her in a prime spot to seek the job in 2006.

An Orlando construction executive who as Senate president sued Bush over his right to veto certain parts of the state budget, Jennings acknowledged the surprise of her suddenly becoming Bush's No. 2.

''Shall we say I never expected to be here,'' she said laughing. ``And I bet a bunch of you never expected me to be here.''

Jennings declined to reveal whether she personally voted for the voter-approved constitutional amendment last year setting strict limits on class sizes -- the very amendment Bush opposed and may seek to repeal in a special election.

[LdSentinal]

Is she a moderate or a conservative Republican?

[alancarp]

last I knew, she's no RINO: big time conservative all the way.

[ohiobushman]

I thought you were speaking of peter jennings

[caltrop]

Big time conservative? Sorry, last I heard she was a RINO with some personal baggage. Still, even if she isn't a conservative, she's not the half black, half hispanic, Jewish lesbian I'm sure he was looking for.

[alancarp]

bummer - my info is about a decade old now. Was hoping she hadn't changed that much... seems like she's been in office (Orlando area) for 20+ years now.

[MonroeDNA]

"...she's not the half black, half hispanic, Jewish lesbian I'm sure he was looking for."

What do you base that comment on? You're describing the wrong party, and certainly not Jeb.

[caltrop]

I stopped following her when she left the legislature fairly confident I wouldn't hear about her again. I believe someone who followed her record closely will take issue with you on both points and have the backup information to support it.

[caltrop]

I'm absolutely describing JEB. He's very, very big on diversity. If you don't want to take my word for it, ask Ward Connerly. Better yet, get a copy of the October, 2002 issue of The Egalitarian, The American Civil Rights Institute's publication. On page 6 you'll find an article by Kevin Nguyen, the Institute's Executive Director titled FLORIDA UPDATE: Another Side of Gove. Bush. If I get a chance I'll post it but, since I'm not all that computer literate, I'll have to type it all in and that will take me some time I haven't got right now.

[tomkat]

same here.
woulda been 'appropriate'.

[votelife]

I was going to get around to emailing Jeb and tell him to be sure to pick a pro-lifer. At least one person he was strongly considering wasn't, which is a train wreck waiting to happen in the '06 governor's race.

[LdSentinal]

She is pro-life and pro-gun as well. However, the ACLU described her as a moderating force against the hard-core conservatives in the Florida State House.

Either way, it's good for President Bush to have a white female as Florida's next Lt. Governor. Thus, she can campaign for the President in Florida appealing to white female voters (aka "soccer moms").

[JohnnyZ]

Jeb wants to get a lot done in the next four years and Jennings is a good one for expediting the legislative process. As for Gov in 2006, I would think that Gallagher, Brogan, and Crist will be fighting over the office (gov or senator) Mel Martinez doesn't go for. But Gallagher seems to be heir apparent? Why is that?

"Jennings launched Florida's successful efforts to move citizens from the welfare rolls into the workforce" link

I couldn't find much else.

[fieldmarshaldj]

This was a disappointing choice. I had hoped he would've chosen a Hispanic or African-American. Arthur Teele, who narrowly lost to Alex Penelas for Dade County Mayor several years ago, would've made a fine Lt. Gov. There's even a Black Haitian Republican Mayor in North Miami, Josaphat Celestin, and a Black GOP Woman Mayor, Carolyn Mason, in Sarasota that were also good choices for the position.

[FreeTally]

and today's announcement puts her in a prime spot to seek the job in 2006.

Not likely. An incumbent lieutenent Governor has never won in the State of Florida, and I still don't see us electing her as the first woman governor of Florida.

[summer]

Well, caltrop, I don't know about you, but I think it would be VERY exciting if Toni Jennings ran for FL governor in 2006, and became FL's first female gov! :)

[summer]

On second thought, you're probably snoozing through such Big News... :)

[summer]

And, let's also remember this, FreeTally: No one believed me whenever I said Gov Bush would WIN in Nov 2002 by a LANDSLIDE MARGIN!!! :)