Chief George Lemieux time to replace Republican U.S.

Published Aug 28th, 2009

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Charlie Crist chose trust and loyalty on Friday over Washington experience or potential political gain in choosing former chief of staff George LeMieux to replace Republican U.S. Sen. LeMieux is Crist’s closest political adviser and the governor’s pick shows he wants someone who thinks like him to hold the Senate seat Crist hopes to win in the November 2010 election. LeMieux left the position in December 2007 and has since worked for the Tallahassee law firm Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart. I know his soul, and I know that he will serve the people of the state honorably and well,” Crist said after announcing the pick.

“I’ve learned working with this great governor that public servants have to be problem solvers and I will seek to be a problem solver in Washington, D.C.,” LeMieux said. “George is bright, capable, and an accomplished administrator,” Martinez said. But State Democratic Chairwoman Karen Thurman called the appointment a “glaring example of political cronyism” and “the last thing Florida needed while we face these tough economic times and the Congress is tackling critical issues such as health insurance reform and global warming.” LeMieux is not a registered lobbyist, but the law firm he chairs earned nearly $3 million from the state over the fiscal year that ended in June, nearly $2 million more than the previous fiscal year. Rumor has it in the gay circles, and trust me the Friends of Dorothy know, he seems to be a bit old for Christ.

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