BEST KNOWN DEM SAYING "NO" TO GOVERNOR'S RACE

The Democrats could very well be losing their best chance at winning the governor's race next November, as the Tampa Tribune is reporting that former Education Commissioner/USF President/U.S. Senate candidate Betty Castor has decided not to become a candidate.

The Tribune story quotes Alex Sink, a retired banker and wife of former gubernatorial candidate Bill McBride, as saying Ms. Castor informed her of the decision this week. She says that she believes the ugly campaign last year against now-Senator Mel Martinez was likely a factor in the decision.

If, indeed, this comes to pass, Ms. Castor will not be just sitting on the sidelines. After last year's campaign, she founded the Campaign for Florida's Future, which is advocating a three-pronged constitutional amendment ballot initiative to:

--- Create an independent, bi-partisan commission which would be responsible for redistrict Congressional and legislative boundries.

--- Set standards regarding the redistricting process for the above commission to consider, such as political and geographical boundries, and the preservation of "communities of interest".

--- And an election in 2008 using the redistricted boundries.

This decision will likely open the door for state Democratic Party Chairman and former Tallahassee mayor Scott Maddox, who had recently said he would not run if Ms. Castor did. He's been itching for a shot at the state's highest office for some time, which caused a bit of controveresy within the party when he decided to run for another four year term as FDP Chairman.

Now, just because Betty may not be on the ballot next year doesn't necessairly mean there won't be a Castor running for office. Betty's daughter, Hillsborough County Commissioner Kathy, is reportedly considering running for the congressional seat currently held by Jim Davis, another gubernatorial candidate.

Ms. Castor would have been a significant force in the race, as she would have been the Democrat with the biggest statewide name recognition...not to mention an organization and database of supporters across Florida, many of whom would have likely joined her for another campaign. Congressman Davis, State Senator Rod Smith, and possibly Maddox, do not enjoy those significant advantages outside their home areas, and will have to work extremely hard to build a statewide support base --- not to mention a sizable war chest --- in the face of likely Republican challenges by well known incumbants already in Tallahassee: Lieutenant Governor Toni Jennings, Attorney General Charlie Crist and Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher.