The speculation is over. Democratic frontrunner for Florida Governor, Alex Sink, has made her pick for Lieutenant Governor. And he's a familiar face, especially to the people of North Central Florida.
Rod Smith has enjoyed a long career in the public eye through politics, the judicial system and a successful private law practice. So his decision to partner with Democrat Alex Sink in the campaign for Governor was not a surprise to many political insiders. But Smith said it was unexpected. "I was surprised. I don't know if I was surprised I got asked or if I was surprised when I accepted, because I really had kinda made up my mind I was not going to do this."
Smith said he changed his mind because he feels a duty to Florida's future. He also said, "I don't want to see it where all of a sudden we're saying well we have diminished expectations...and our dreams are to settle. That's not what we need to do for Florida. That's not the way Floridians have been and that's not what made this state what it is and we need to re-engage the engine and get this state going forward again."
Smith expressed confidence that Sink has the best plan for Florida and said he will start campaigning immediately. "Look, we need to have a spirited campaign, we need to fight on principles, we need to fight on our differences and need to have that battleground layed out for the next weeks and months."
Smith said he beleives that Floridians will have a clear choice about who to elect based on the issues that matter most to them and he's especially looking forward to bringing that message to the people in and around his hometown.