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Candidates shaping up for 2010 elections
Rumors are circulating that Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink may make a run for Florida governor.
TALLAHASSEE (Bay News 9) -- The 2008 election is barely in the books, but already Florida's top political figures are looking to 2010.
Potential candidates for statewide offices are beginning their campaigns, and speculation has began on who will challenge incumbents for key offices.
Gov. Charlie Crist may be popular, but in politics, no one is invincible. The buzz in Tallahassee is Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, a Democrat, could be poised to challenge Crist.
"I think that she has recently, with her comments calling for a special session on the budget, she's trying to draw a sharper line of demarcation between herself and Crist," said St. Petersburg Times capital bureau chief Steve Bousquet. "They have a cordial public relationship, they get along well in cabinet meetings, but you get a sense that little by little, Sink is taking the gloves off."
On the other hand, Sink may take a stab at unseating Republican U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez. That's if he decides to run.
Martinez's approval numbers are so low, high-ranking Republicans say it's a good bet former House Speaker Marco Rubio could step in.
And for the attorney general office currently head by Republican Bill McCollum, Democratic sources say state Sen. Dave Aronberg could be about to launch a campaign to take it back.
Many think Democrats are well positioned to make big gains, but some voters argue that could change depending on what happens in Washington during the next two years.
"I think that if Obama doesn't, isn't able to pull off what he needs to pull off, then it'll be competition," said voter Karen Loewen.
There are two other big statewide races to watch: agriculture commissioner and chief financial officer. Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson will have to leave office because of term limits and CFO Sink would leave an open seat if she decides to run for governor or Senate.
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