Sen. Bill Nelson considering running for Governor

[vicupstate]

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) is apparently considering a run against Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R), Roll Call reports.

"If Nelson ran for and won the governor's mansion in 2014, he would be charged as governor with appointing someone to serve two years as his Senate successor. But there's some confusion about who would actually make the Senate appointment. An aide with Florida's Division of Elections said such a situation would leave a small window of time for Scott to appoint a Republican to the Senate. Democrats say Nelson would appoint his own successor."

http://www.rollcall.com/news/farm_team_chaos_and_opportunity_ahead_for_florida_democrats-224323-1.html?pg=1

[spuwho]

He won't do it.  He has much more authority and relative political power as a senator than he will ever acquire as a gov.

This is probably being pushed by the Anti-Crist Democrats who didn't like his splash into the party.

While Nelson has better political chops than Scott, this is beneath him if he really wants to serve the state of Florida.

[ChriswUfGator]

I don't mind Nelson, but I agree he's basically a product pushed by the "anybody but crist" crowd. We really seem to stigmatize politicians who change views (e.g. 'sides') over time.

[vicupstate]

Running for Governor while already being a Senator is not unheard of.  Pete Wilson successfully did it in CA.  Mark Warner of VA considered it a few years back and this year, although he had already been Governor once before. 

Nelson would have more power as a Governor, than being 1 of 100 senators.  Especially since he doesn't hold any major committee chairmanships.   

Edit: Jon Corzine also made the jump from Senate to Governor in NJ.

[Charles Hunter]

He would not have to resign his Senate seat to run for Governor, so if he lost, he would remain Senator.  Could he delay his resignation to one minute before he is sworn in, to deny Scott the chance to make a lame duck appointment?