Gov. Rick Scott on Monday appointed Jimmy Patronis to serve as Florida Chief Financial Officer, a posting that could prove critical to Scott's political and policy prospects.

  • Jimmy Patronis chosen as new CFO
  • Former state representative from Panama City
  • Replaces Jeff Atwater, who will be CFO of Florida Atlantic University

Patronis, a former Republican state representative from Panama City Scott appointed to the Public Service Commission in 2015, will serve out the final 18 months of departing CFO Jeff Atwater's term. Atwater, who Capitol observers say has largely soured on life in Tallahassee, has accepted as a position as CFO of Florida Atlantic University, near his home in Palm Beach Gardens.

In elevating Patronis to one of the state's most powerful offices, Scott has effectively placed a strategic bet that a longtime loyalist will show allegiance to his agenda. Patronis bucked the GOP establishment in 2010 by endorsing Scott, then an underdog gubernatorial candidate, and helped turn out the Panhandle vote ahead of the governor's razor-thin 2014 re-election victory.

As Scott prepares for an expected 2018 challenge of U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, Patronis' popularity in the Panhandle could help boost Scott's showing there, particularly if he decides to run for CFO in his own right. Scott has been facing complaints from Panhandle conservatives for signing charter school legislation critics say will divert taxpayer dollars from public schools, which are often the only option for students in rural areas.

And Patronis, who as CFO will also serve as a member of the Florida Cabinet, could provide Scott with a reliable vote in favor of his deregulatory agenda.

"What I can tell you about Jimmy Patronis is, he'll always try to do the right thing," Scott said in Tampa, the third stop on a statewide tour to debut his appointee.

For the governor's detractors, however, the "right thing" is almost always wrong.

"Jimmy Patronis was nothing but a rubber stamp for the utilities on the PSC, and I would imagine he'll do the same on the Cabinet," said Barbara DeVane, a progressive activist and lobbyist. "He will be on the Cabinet, which oversees so many issues."

For now, Patronis is mum about his plans for the next year-and-a-half.

"Well, I mean, really, I'm going to sit down starting tomorrow with a face-to-face orientation with CFO Atwater, making sure I'm sitting down to hear both sides of all the issues pressing before the CFO's office," Patronis said.