Crist took another step toward the upcoming gubernatorial
race on Dec. 13 by officially registering as a Democrat.
Now that it seems likely Crist will seek the Democratic
nomination for his former job, he has a big decision to make. He’ll need to
select a running mate who will excite Florida Democrats, appeal to swing
voters, and help him govern.
Alfred “Al” Lawson and Kendrick Meek, two FAMU alumni, could
easily fit that bill.
Crist won 20 percent of black votes when he ran for the governorship in 2006. If Crist places Lawson or Meek on the ticket, either man could help him rally African Americans to turn out in the types of large numbers that they did during the 2008 and 2012 presidential election.
Lawson and Meek would also be attractive to swing voters.
Lawson represented a majority white district in the Florida
Senate and developed a reputation for striking bipartisan deals.
Meek has spent much of his political career courting working
and middle class voters who feel that the GOP-led legislature is starving
public education. During the year 2002, 2.5 million citizens supported his
proposed class size amendment to the Florida Constitution despite vigorous
opposition from then-Gov. Jeb Bush.
Back when Crist and Meek sought Florida’s junior U.S. Senate
seat in the 2010 general election, the combined 2,700,485 votes that they both
received topped the 2,645,743 that went winner Marco Rubio. It was also more
than the 2,619,335 that Scott won in the gubernatorial race. That speaks well for the
prospect of Crist and Meek picking up a victory as a ticket in 2014.
Effective Governing
As governor, Crist will additionally need a
second-in-command who can serve as an effective liaison between the governor’s
office and major legislative bodies. Both Lawson and Meek have the connections
to get results in this important area.
Lawson formerly served as the Minority Leader of the Florida
Senate. He could guide the process helping Crist’s appointees to the executive agencies
and the Florida Supreme Court secure confirmation. He could also find sponsors for
bills that represent the priorities of the governor’s office.
Meek won the admiration of colleagues on both sides of the
political aisle as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. He ended his
career as a member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee. Meek could head
the governor’s efforts to lobby for a greater Congressional investment in
Florida’s future.
The Florida Democratic Party has no shortage of strong
potential picks for the lieutenant governorship. But few can boast the quality
of Al Lawson or Kendrick Meek’s political experience.