Former Pinellas County sheriff Everett Rice
Posted on 05/10/2005 6:34:32 AM PDT by amdgmary
TALLAHASSEE - State Rep. Everett Rice of Treasure Island, who served 16 years as Pinellas County sheriff, is running for attorney general.
His announcement came the same day Attorney General Charlie Crist filed to run for governor.
Rice joins two other Republican lawmakers, Rep. Joe Negron of Stuart and Sen. Burt Saunders of Naples, in seeking to replace Crist. None is well-known statewide, and no Democrat has announced. "The job's coming open, and I had a lot of respect for Charlie Crist. He's leaving it and a lot of people have asked me to do it," Rice said. "I think I can do a good job." He said he plans to file by week's end.
Rice said he will stress law enforcement and environmental protection and plans to emulate Crist's focus on consumer protection. Rice predicted he would have the backing of about two-thirds of Florida's sheriffs.
"I've never had any experience raising money for a statewide race, but I have in a major county, and I'm prepared to do what needs to be done," Rice said.
Rice is virtually unknown outside Pinellas, and has never been known as an aggressive fundraiser. But having a network of sheriffs could be a formidable asset in a campaign that is destined to be overshadowed by marquee statewide races for governor and U.S. Senate on the November 2006 ballot.
"I'm greatly encouraged by the support I'm getting from sheriffs," Rice said. "I'm not prepared to name them all, but two-thirds of them have committed to me orally or in writing."
The attorney general oversees more than 1,000 lawyers, representing the state in all death penalty appeals and investigates Medicaid fraud, racketeering and consumer law violations, among other things.
Rice, 60, is a native of Roanoke, Va., a veteran of the Merchant Marines and a graduate of the University of South Florida and the Stetson University College of Law. He worked for the Pinellas Sheriff's Office for 33 years.
Rice was practicing law in Clearwater in 1988 when he handily defeated Sheriff Gerry Coleman in the Republican primary.
He was easily re-elected three more times, but his name has not appeared on a ballot since 1996. He was unopposed in his final bid for sheriff in 2000, and he was unopposed when he ran last year for the District 54 House seat, representing a string of Pinellas coastal communities.
His decision means his House seat will be open in 2006.
Rice kept a lower profile than some of his fellow House freshmen. He did not introduce any major legislation, rarely debated on the floor and acknowledged he was somewhat befuddled at having no staff to help him navigate the Legislature's elaborate online system of communication and tracking bills.
He cited as his biggest achievement his co-sponsorship of the Jessica Lunsford Act, which increases punishment and electronic monitoring of sex offenders and was named after the 9-year-old Citrus County girl who was abducted and slain in March.
Rice was one of the few House Republicans who voted against legislation aimed at forcing Terri Schiavo's feeding tube to be reconnected.
He was one of only two GOP House members who opposed a decision to triple the amount of public financing available to statewide candidates who agree to a spending limit. Attorney general candidates could spend as much as $10-million, with up to half of that paid by taxpayers.
"Only time will tell whether I'll take advantage of that law," Rice said. "I was against the increase. I just don't think it's fair for the Legislature to pass a law that allows them to give away all that taxpayer money to candidates. At the same time, I don't think I could let my opponent take advantage of it to my disadvantage."
Ping. Former Sheriff Everett Rice and good friend of Judge George Greer will run for Attorney General.
Interesting, very interesting.
The Death Squad wants to run the state. Crist, and now Rice, what next Jim King for Lt Gov?
Be sure to keep a large supply of barf bags on hand, looks like we'll need them!!!!!
Talk about corrupt.
Hi My name is Everett Rice and I'm a goober.
"Former Sheriff Everett Rice and good friend of Judge George Greer will run for Attorney General."
Very interesting, indeed! Sounds like more awards being passed out to the perps.
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