The primary isn't until September, but folks are already picking their favorite to replace term-limited Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson is letting everyone know whom he'll be voting for in the upcoming gubernatorial election. Johnson was among 28 sheriffs who recently endorsed Charlie Crist for the job.
"He has always had a strong stance on crime," Johnson said. "I think he will be a governor that will work with law enforcement to help make our state safe."
Crist, the state's attorney general, and Florida Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher are among the best-known GOP candidates.
The Democratic front-runners are U.S. Rep. Jim Davis and state Sen. Rod Smith of Alachua.
Johnson, a registered Republican, applauded the job Crist has done as the state's attorney general. Four years ago, he endorsed Crist's Republican primary opponent, Locke Burt.
Johnson didn't have any concerns about getting this year's pick out before the primary.
"I think it's important people know where we stand on this issue," he said.
Neighboring sheriffs Chris Daniels in Lake County, Kevin Beary in Orange and Don Eslinger in Seminole also endorsed Crist.
The sheriffs' support follows the nod of several statewide law-enforcement organizations, including the Police Benevolent Association and the Fraternal Order of Police.
Other officers like Gallagher
Gallagher has some buds in law enforcement, too. But his campaign does "endorsements a bit different," according to an e-mail from Alberto Martinez, communications director for Gallagher's campaign.
"In addition to the large support Tom is receiving from rank-and-file police officers and first-responders, we have policy teams which actually serve on our campaign," Martinez said in the message.
Members of the policy team include Brevard County Sheriff Jack Parker and Indian River County Sheriff Roy Raymond. They also include Bob Carver, statewide president of the Florida Professional Firefighters, and Jeff McAdams, president of the Gainesville Fraternal Order of Police.
Davis picks up support too
Meanwhile, a bunch of Dems in Volusia have jumped on the Davis-for-governor bandwagon. Members of his local campaign steering committee include County Chairman Frank Bruno, County Council member Carl Persis and School Board members Al Williams and Candace Lankford.
Davis' Web site also lists these big-name backers: former Florida Sen. Bob Graham, former Georgia Sen. Max Cleland, former Florida Lt. Gov. Buddy MacKay -- who also briefly was governor -- and Rhea Chiles, widow of former Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles.
Smith lists his backers
Smith, meanwhile, lists endorsements from former Attorney General Bob Butterworth, Gilchrist County Sheriff David Turner, state Sen. Nan Rich, State Attorney Barry Krischer and Public Defender Carey Haughwout, both of Palm Beach County, and Broward County Clerk of the Court Howard Forman.
France enters county race
In other, open-seat, contested-election news, Maureen France just made it official. France, a former DeLand city commissioner and current state committeewoman for the Volusia Republican Executive Committee, is running for the District 1 seat on the County Council. She joins former DeLand city commissioners Charles Paiva and Danny Gainin, as well as DeLand veterinarian Donald Kanfer, in the contest to succeed term-limited council member Dwight Lewis.
WAV: `Where are we going?'
Members of WAV are wondering whether their shaky relationship just became an open marriage.
Water Authority of Volusia recently approved an all-important water-facilities plan that basically outlines its reasons to exist for the next 20 years. Without the plan, some considered the authority doomed.
But it's not out of hot water yet. The authority is still mediating a dispute with Daytona Beach. As the authority discussed the terms of a potential settlement, Holly Hill Mayor Roland Via likened one of the options to a "divorce with only one alimony payment."
Another board member said it's really not a marriage, with elections and city manager changes putting different partners into the mix.
Which made Edgewater Councilwoman Judy Lichter wonder out loud, "Does that make us swingers?"
