Atwater, Ausley Vie to Succeed Sink As Florida CFO

Although Florida’s next chief financial officer will take charge during one of the rockiest times in the state’s financial history, the race has received little attention amid higher-profile races for the U.S. Senate and governor.

Florida Senate President Jeff Atwater, a Republican, and Democrat Loranne Ausley, an attorney and former state representative from Tallahassee, are vying to replace Democratic gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink in the post, which many consider the state’s second-most powerful.

The winner will take charge of 2,000-employee agency that has a $200 million annual budget. It oversees the state’s treasury, insurance department, fire marshal’s office and department of banking and finance. The CFO is part of the Cabinet and with the governor, attorney general and agriculture commissioner has a vote on pardons and serves on the board of several state agencies.

Atwater, a 52-year-old North Palm Beach banker, has a three-to-one fundraising advantage and an edge in name recognition. But some polls have shown the contest the closest of among cabinet races.

Ausley, 47, has attacked Atwater for his banking ties, allegations of coziness to Tallahassee lobbyists and for wasteful spending by approving a $48 million Tallahassee appellate courthouse called the “Taj Mahal” by critics.

Both candidates say the CFO has a crucial financial watchdog responsibility that will be key in improving the state’s economic fortunes.

“It is important to the economic health and vitality of our state,” Atwater said. “I am running because the financial burdens are heavy on Floridians. We need to reduce the government and lower taxes for the job creators.”

Atwater promises to be a “fiscal hawk,” who watches how each dollar is spent. His background in banking makes him ideal for the job, he said.

“I don’t think we can afford to spend an extra dollar at any place.”

He dismissed attacks from Ausley about the Tallahassee appellate court building, which was tucked into a transportation spending bill by others at the last minute. Atwater voted for the bill but there is no indication he had anything to do with the courthouse being included. He also dismisses her criticisms about his position in Republican leadership during spending scandals.

Former Republican House Speaker Ray Sansom resigned amid a grand jury investigation into a $6 million appropriation for an alleged airport hanger for use by a political supporter. Atwater said he and other legislative leaders made changes recommended by the jury.

“No item can be placed in the budget now unless it is address publicly. This is a sad misrepresentation of facts that she (Ausley) knows are wrong,” he said.

Instead of attacking Ausley, Atwater said, he has chosen to run a positive campaign. So far, Atwater has turned down requests by Ausley to debate.

Ausley said Atwater is part of culture of political insiders in Tallahassee, which she calls “pay to play politics” and has pledged to combat as CFO.

“Anyone who has spent time in Tallahassee knows it is difficult to get anything done if you don’t have a paid lobbyist. Hundreds of millions of dollars are paid to lobbyists. Those that have a paid lobbyist get heard at the expense of children, nonprofits and those that don’t have time or the money to lobby,” she said. “Hundreds of million go out in contracts to those that have paid lobbyists.”

Because the CFO race is lower profile than races for the U.S. Senate and governor, many voters could vote their party preference without knowing much about either candidate, said Aubrey Jewett, a University of Central Florida political science professor.

This year, he said, the prevailing sentiment seems to be Republican, Jewett said. Atwater’s party affiliation and his money advantage could give him the edge, Jewett said.

“Between what he raises and all the state party money, that will be an advantage. He will a ‘R’ after his name and it is shaping up in Florida just like the rest of the country to be more of Republican year,” he said.

And Jewett said that the polls don’t mean much.

“Not many people know either of these candidates,” Jewett said.

Lance deHaven-Smith, associate director of the Florida Institute of Government at Florida State University, said the CFO race will hinge on turnout.

If there is unusually heavy turnout among Democrat voters in South Florida who support Kendrick Meek for the U.S. Senate, it could sway the race for Ausley, he said.

“I think Democrats have been coming back. There has been a surge in voter registration since 2006. The question is energy and whether the Democrats will turn out,” he said.

Online:

Jeff Atwater: http://www.jeffatwater.com/

Loranne Ausley: http://ausleyforcfo.com

Topics Florida USA Legislation