Florida's Gov. Crist accused of 'cronyism'
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist on Friday selected his closest political
confidant to serve out the term of retiring Republican Sen. Mel
Martinez for 16 months, until the Republican governor himself hopes to
take over the seat.
In the choice that quickly brought Democratic charges of
cronyism, Mr. Crist ended a long and very public selection process by
naming former chief of staff George LeMieux - a self-described "Charlie
Crist Republican" - as the state's next senator.
Mark Ferrulo, executive director of the liberal organization Progress Florida, called the LeMieux pick "shocking."
"Instead of an experienced statesman looking out for the best interests
of Floridians, we get a partisan political operator who will vote based
on one criterion and one criteria only - what will help his former boss
win election in 2010," he said.
State Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Thurman called the choice "a glaring example of political cronyism."
The Congressional Research Service said there have been 184 Senate
appointments since 1913, when the 17th Amendment became effective,
replacing the selection of senators by state legislatures with direct
popular voting.
Of those, seven were the widows of senators, two the spouses of
the governor, three the sons of senators and one the daughter of a
governor.
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