LET THE RACE BEGIN!

The first shot will apparantly be fired in the Republican race for governor today, as Attorney General Charlie Crist is saying that he will file papers to become an official candidate today. Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher and Lieutenant Governor Toni Jennings are also expected to challenge the state's top legal officer for the GOP nomination.

On the Democratic side, State Senator Rod Smith of Alachua and Congressman Jim Davis of Tampa have already filed, and now-former state Democratic Party chairman Scott Maddox should announce June 7.

Crist should be a formidable candidate, as he has strived during his time in office to present the persona of being tough on crime and a friend to consumers.

Meanwhile, State Representative Dennis Ross (R - Lakeland) has apparantly decided to end any thoughts of running for Gallagher's CFO position. Due to Florida Bar Association and Ethics Commission restrictions against attorneys holding statewide office from being connected with a law firm --- either active or inactive --- Ross would have to sell his majority status in his Lakeland firm if elected...something he is not willing to do, since he built the firm from scratch.
Ross had already said that he would not seek reelection to his legislative seat next year, and Lakeland City Commissioner Seth McKeel has already been lining up support and money to run for Ross' seat.

UPDATE: Crist did, indeed, file his papers Monday to run for governor. And he got some help from "America's Most Wanted" host John Walsh, a former resident of the Miami area, to deliver his papers to the State Elections' Office. He is the first Republican to officially register as a candidate for the state's highest office. Lieutenant Governor Toni Jennings and Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher are also rumoured to be strongly favouring a run.