Corcoran resigns from House, plans Senate run

Richard Corcoran, chief of staff to House Speaker Marco Rubio, has resigned and plans to seek the state Senate seat held by Nancy Argenziano, R-Dunnellon.

"My wife Anne and I are returning to Citrus County with our four children where I will resume practicing law," Corcoran wrote in a letter to Rubio. " Letter is here > corcoran.PDF. Bob Ward will replace him.

Corcoran will open a campaign account for the 2008 election. But things will accelerate if Argenziano is picked to serve on the Public Service Commission. Leaving the House was difficult, Corcoran said, "but I think I’ll be able to do more for the people in the state Senate."

UPDATE: Rep. Charlie Dean, R-Inverness, said he too would seek the senate seat. Dean said he think it's "inappropriate" to discuss a seat but now that word is out, he can acknowledge his interest.

UPDATE 2: Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, says he's also interested. "I've had a pretty good run in the House and think maybe I've got something to offer."

Comments

So, I guess NA to PSC is a done deal?

This makes no sense unless there is going to be a special election. Argenziano's term doesn't expire until 2010.

Democrats can win this seat if they field the right candidate. The district went for Bill Nelson in 2000, Clinton/Gore in 1996, and several Democratic Cabinet candidates by wide margins in 1998.

[Alex Leary]

House Speaker Marco Rubio's statement:

Richard Corcoran has worked with me and my House colleagues in a variety of roles over the last several years. In every instance he has excelled. As House Chief of Staff he has fully implemented three important goals: promoting policies based on ideas offered by the citizens of Florida; creating an open process to encourage debate and innovation; and assigning leadership members outside the Speaker's Office the opportunity to directly guide the lawmaking process. We will very much miss his advice and counsel. If he chooses to run for the state Senate, I believe he will serve his constituents with the same thoughtful and energetic focus that has made his work in the House so valuable."

We very much look forward to Senator Corcoran in the Florida Senate. He will be a superb addition to the Chamber. He is sharp, thorough, and very intelligent. Major upgrade from the previous several occupants of the seat!

Sit back and watch:
Nancy gets the appointment and Richard walks into the Senate. Excellent moves for both of them. Good luck to them both.

Nancy will do anything to make sure Richard does not win that seat.

don't these clowns have anything to do in life besides run for office?

What about Charlie Dean and Baxley?

Both likely in. Baxley will be tough.

Charlie Dean cant be beat in that seat. Thats if he runs.

Richard is a good guy I wish him all the best. He will make a great senator.

Maybe Governor Gallagher will help his buddy Baxley.

Another losing campaign for Doster.

Baxley was just taking shots last week at Governor Crist, or as we can him "the most popular Governor in the history of Florida."

Even the mormon thinks Baxley was wrong on Schiavo.

Bye Dennis, back to the mortuary for you.

Charlie Dean can't be beat are you serious???

There isn't a lazier candidate than him.

Has Dean announced he is running?

That crazy wackjob Nancy can't get out of that seat fast enough. She will ruin the PSC.

6:42

Bush beat Gore by 9 points in this seat in 2000, I wouldn't exactly call this a Democratic Swing seat.

Dean the democrat is toast and Baxley the hypocrit too. Senator Corcoran, welcome to the upper chamber.

Baxley is a monster if he gets in that race. Corcoran better make sure he doesn't run.

Dean is much more popular and well-known in Citrus County, which makes-up most of the district. However, Corcoran will have an edge in fundraising.

In a special election, name ID beats money most of the time.

Charlie Dean has been down there for a long time

Baxley will slaughter Corcoran. This is a no brainer

Ask Dean about why he ran as a Democrat for the state senate against Anna Cowin. He wasnt even a Republican until he ran for the House the first time.

Dean is a RINO if there ever was one.

[Father Jim]

Baxley is an extremist. He is a bigot and full of hate.

gee - that will suck in a republican primary in marion county...

Richard was one of the best things about Rubio's speakership. It will be sad to see him leave that office. I wish him the best in the Senate race and hope that we wins!

He won't.

Most Republicans were Democrats back in the day

Who is/are Rubio's key advisor(s) now? He will be lost without Corcoran.

Baxley is a gem of a man, he is worthy of respect and will do an excellent job if elected. Corcoran is also great. This will be a tough one.

Is brickfaced Argenziano gone yet?

Dennis Baxley is a gorilla campaigner and can scrap with anyone. I would not want to face him under any circumstances.

Bob Ward is back in charge in the House so staff isn't an issue.

As unbelievable as people outside the area may think it is, Dean is a monster candidate. His name ID is huge and he is somewhat considered a local hero.

Richard is a bright guy and knows how to fundraise, but he will have to work hard and raise alot to overcome the name ID.

I doubt Baxley gets in.

The D's have a really good shot at taking this if they can field one strong candidate and campaign while hoping the R's get dirty in their primary.

6:42 those races all occured before redistricting

Nurse Ratched can be beat and Senator Lynn too.

Better check, NA's term runs out in 2008, not 2010.

How is this for open government? This is already a done deal. So much for the nominating commission.

She already passed the Nominating Committe. The rigged one you obviously are reffering to is the Legislative PSC Oversight Committee.

Go Bax !

They must be assuming the members will be more than eager to get rid of..err.. I mean, select Nancy for this post.

Q. Why wouldn't Richard simply wait until the end of session?
A. Baxley and Dean cannot fundraise for a Senate seat while they are in session.

However, Mr. Corcoran, you could have done a lot more for the "people of the district" as the House COS than as a candidate for a 2008 seat, or even in a special election post-session, so spare us the sanctimonious bs. It is pure politics, and there is nothing wrong with that.

Just admit it.

Baxley blew it with his outspoken support of Gallagher.

Corcoran is the best and the brightest of the potential candidates.

Look forward to seeing Senator Corcoran work effectively and in a collegial fashion in that Chamber.

The real deal here is that Corcoran is getting pushed out. Give Marco credit for being more gracious than he was with Jose and with Ross/Brown. But the result will be the same. Everything he had going over there is falling apart.

Richard was a failure as Chief, listening to Mike too much, and running the House like a dictatorship. Marco should take a lesson from Webster/Pruitt and smash the pyramid... But then he wouldn't be able to control everything himself.

Hopefully Bob Ward will rein him in and the session can be productive for all.

Better luck in your next endeavor, Richard.

9:36pm--You are obviously not in any way close to Rubio or Corcoran. Or even anyone around them. You are absolutely wrong. This is very cut and dry. Richard wants to run for office and it would be wrong for him to continue to serve as the House Chief of Staff while pursuing a potential run for the Senate. Of course, it just sounds a lot more scandalous and adds to the rumor mill to say that he was being pushed out, but unfortunately it's not that exciting. Sorry to burst your bubble.

Better luck in your next endeavor in posting on this blog. You failed miserably this time.

Welcome Bob Ward (again)! What a GREAT team leader.
Now it shall settle down and some good public policy will be enacted.
Does this mean you have to rearrange your office again?

Some of the comments from Tallahassee "insiders" must not know much about winning elections.

Charlie Dean was the long-time sheriff of Citrus County. He is very well respected in that county, plus he'll play well with the bubba's in the rural parts of the district. Richard may be able to raise money but this will be a special election with a shortened timeframe. Baxley is not known in the part of the district that matters most. The winner will be the person with the best name ID -- Dean.

Maybe Richard should run for the seat Dean must resign when he runs for Senate.

So now Paul Hawkes thinks he can get Corcoran elected and run the Senate too? Dream on. Just say no to the Citrus County Cult.

10:15, you are right. The Cult needs to be culled.

This is why I love this state. The House Chief of Staff quits to run for the seat that isn't even vacated yet by the Senator who sent someone poo.

God bless Florida.

So, Richard gets forced to resign?

Why else would he leave right at the beginning of the session he's been preparing for for 2 years... Surely he wants to help enact some of 100 innovative ideas?

Maybe Marco doesn't want him there any more?

Anyone know?

This is Pruitt and Atwater's call.

If they chose to clear the field for one of these three, anyone of the other candidates trying to buck them will be crushed. They might be wise to do so after watching the Farkus Berfield fight to the death that elected Justice.

dear 10:37 - maybe you should at least peruse some of the other posts before you try to be snarky.

the answer to your question: yes. everyone knows but you.

it's called scrolling up.

who are the dems running?

956-

wait- does NA only represent citrus county? I think it is more like 10 or something crazy like that-

I want Richard to win because I could not stand the fact of seeing that pompous @$$ aide of deans roaming the halls of the senate

Hawkes is an evil man, who couldn't even win a judges race in citrus. Nancy will work to kick Corcoran and Hawkes butts. My $$$ is on Nancy. She beat them 2 -1 in 1998 house race

It's a huge district but Citrus County makes up the largest population of the district. It's a bit of a bubba county (in Inverness and Crystal River), with retired New Yorkers (Beverly Hills area), and engineers (Lecanto area) who work at the nuclear plant.

Baxley, please come out and play. Your Governor would like a word with you.

Marco will force Corcoran into the Senate. Pruitt will have to say yes, he won't put up a fight, not worth it!

There's more to this than Pruitt. Which candidate will support Atwater, or Alexander/Bennett.

Watch the CCE's gear up to push their candidate.

marco's a stud, he'll charm pruitt to get his way. Hawkes is the man behind the curtins here. Talk about activist judges, Hawkes is the poster boy. Does the guy ever leave the capitol.

What qualifies Hawkes' kid to be house counsel? Talk about affirmative action!

Sit back and relax Senators, the Hawkes cancer is headed you way. It's done wonders for the House. They'll crush desenting Senators under their boots. No need for votes just get Hawkes nod and Jackie will get the Guv to sign it. Just remember to keep stuffing Michael Corcoran's pocket in-between. Didn't these same people give us Johnnie Byrd?

Corcoran is a Trial Bar guy. Sorry a Justice League guy or whatever their new improved name is. Wasn't he on the board. How much $$ did Michael make when Bryd pimped him out to do claims bills? Did Richard get part of the money?

Paul Hawkes is a good guy. He doesn't deserve the grief that he's getting from the peanut gallery here.

end nancys reign of terror in the legislature !!

CORCORANS RULE!!

isn't baxley that nincompoop who tried to introduce right-wing slant to university courses and mandate it legally? that guy is a total goober,
a fine example of nosepickerus americanus.

[TB Blue Dog]

Interesting, but does this mean that shipments of manure will start coming from the PSC?

12:26 "Paul Hawkes is a good guy."

And pigs fly too. He sure did have a problem with the courts legislating from the bench until he joined them. Why can't someone investigate him?

Still nobody talking about which D will run. This COULD be a competitive seat if Geller can push back from the buffet table for a few minutes...

I would like to announce my intention to run for this seat. They're all already working for me anyway.

-Stan

Hawkes spends more time in the capitol manipulating the Rubio/Sansom people than he does in his own courtroom. He'll be working overtime with Corcoran in the Senate. The press is missing this one! Too busy fixated on the free lunch stories while Hawkes' troops loot the place!

Hawkes is the master of this stuff. What qualifies his kid to be House General Counsel? Or is daddy Hawkes a 2nd DCA Judge and House Counsel? Inquiring minds want to know?

Most of you must have attention deficit disorder. This thread is about the potential of an opening in a senate seat.

Richard Corcoran is a class act who has always conducted himself admirably.
The Senators should be thrilled with the prospect of his joining their ranks. He is thorough, thoughful, and will help enhance the Florida Senate.

Baxley is a far Right grenade thrower who has said so many unkind words about the Governor and the Senate leadership. Furthermore, his thoughts and actions greatly harm his candidacy.

Dean is simply a dud who is up in Tallahassee for the night life. No more good 'ole boys in the senate.

You guys are missing the key point.
With Rubio, Sansom, and Cannon helping steer mega resources in his direction, Corcoran would destroy any competition.

Before qualifying, Richard Corcoran's name ID will be sky high.

Baxley is not the kind, compassionate, and fair public servant that some of you may think from a distance. There are legions who would like to have Baxley run for the senate seat so that they can end his stay in the legislature.

Baxley's comments about the Governor were vile and below the belt.

I could care less who wins the senate seat but I am joined by countless "anybody but Baxley" voters in the district.

Nancy A does not like Corcoran or Dean but she is smart enough to keep her mouth shut and move on to her new life.

10:49 PM

I guess we can assume he didn't get you that meeting you wanted or told you the legislation you were pushing was DOA. Whenever an Aide gets attacked on here, its almost always a disgruntled or incompetent lobbyist. Sucks for you.

[Roaring 20's]

While recognizing it wasn't his district, but bearing in mind his name ID from the governor's race, is it impossible to foresee Rod Smith running for this seat?

Even though the senate district is fairly conservative, Baxley would get crushed in a general election.

Baxley is one of the Tom Gallagher architects on moving so far to the Right that you move yourself off the playfield. (yes, Gallagher was a chameleon while Baxley is an idealogue).

Baxley will cause us to lose a GOP seat in the senate.

Dean has made a blood oath with Bennett and the cocktail crowd.

Where is Corcoran in the Presidential melee?

What was below the belt and vicious 8:53? Can you cite specific examples with dates and links?

Attention bloggers: Today's lesson, the "power" of Baxley.

His man Gallagher - loses Baxley's district 58-42%

Baxley's own race in 2006 - 56-44% (against a weak Dem in a strong GOP district)

Doster now his top campaign man

Baxley can now spend time explaining how Mormanism is really still "christian"

Charlie Crist approval among Republicans in the Senate district over 90% and over 80% among all voters.

Class dismissed. Baxley dismissed.

What's all this talk about Doster? Did I miss something?

If Doster is running the "Baxley to the future" campaign, get ready to hear about the other shoe dropping,
and the late surge that's coming because of microtargeting. When Baxley's numbers start to tank even more, watch out for the beard too.

If you support Dean or Corcoran, send "Baxley to the future" enough money so he can afford to hire Brett. That will greatly increase your candidate's success.

Too late for Rubio, he's already letting Paul Hawkes run the show. Sansom and Dean should think long and hard before selling their souls to this devil. Too bad they haven't been around long enough to know where the skeletons are. Even Jeb's people would tell you that Paul Hawkes is a manipulative, Grade A @$$hole.

9:43 after the wonderful time together driving the Gallagher ship onto the rocks, Baxley and Doster are BFF

If Bennett was the one who changed his vote for Argenziano for PSC and all of a sudden Corcoran resigns to run, does that mean he and Bennett have cut a deal or what?

How did Doster lose his last race by 30 points but still remains everyone's first choice to run their campaign ?

8:50

You don't think Pruitt and Atwater will have "Mega Resources" and a little bit to say about who takes this seat. This is a Senate seat. Why would the house leadership risk offending Pruitt, Atwater and crew. Your comments sound like wishfull thinking on Corocran's part. You House bloggers need to step back from the bong.

Is Larry Cretul out of sight and out of mind in the discussion about an Argenziano replacement? He would present a good middle ground candidate. Be Nancy could support him over the current cast of characters.

They'd lose his house in the special not a good idea.

Corcoran's real play here is to take Dean's House seat. He'll end up as speaker after Cannon.

And Doster's brother will take Baxley's?

Corcoran will make Weatherford think allowing him to become speaker was his idea. RC much smarter than WW.

Let's see who the pastor and members of 7 Rivers PCA backs. My bets are on Corcoran, since pastor's son works for House as intern. Dang! This is fascinating! Will young Hawkes run for Ausley's seat or move back to Citrus County too? At least Bob Ward is back as Chief of Staff. Too bad they ran Debby Kearney off to Education.

It was Jeb who sold his soul to devil when he appointed Hawkes to 1st DCA.

None of these slick politicos can do the job Nancy did. None of them will be as well liked in that districy as Nancy is. I say the seat goes to the Dems for sure. They can get the House and the Senate seat. It is truly up for grabs. And by the way, we will take Nancy's face over your teo face anyday. Dean, you should tell Ryan to stay off the blogs if he gets Nancy mad you will be toast. We all know who posts here.

Meant - TWO FACED
Actually you may be toast already.

I hope the Democrats have a good candidate. We have these three fools who will not serve that district at all. Baxley the nutcase, Dean the drinking lazy fool, and this Cocoran who leaves a 175,000 job as a Republican operative, whos he kidding. None of these poeple will work that very large district. They are much like the three stooges. Lord help us.

Now that Baxley is a Mormon will he go door to door in one of thise white shirts and funny Mormon outfits?

Did you know Nancy only has a GED????

You mean Doster's step brother.

It will be a great day for Florida when Argenziano leaves the Senate

Argenzi-AAAAAAH!!! NOOOOOO!!!

You guys are smoking something if you think Democrats cant take that seat in this environment. This is a swing district and folks right now are not all too happy with the President.

None of the 3 candidates mentioned are half as strong as Argenziano...love her or hate her, she was the perfect Sen for that district.

And if the Trial lawyers come in big for one Republican candidate, the business community may come in for a Democrat.

Read Corcoran's letter to Rubio.

That's a "FORCED RESIGNATION" letter if I've ever seen one!!!!

Sorry to burst the bubble of Nancy's designated posters, but I doubt she will get involved in this race at all after she gets her appointment. All that could do is backfire on her when she has no incentive to interfere in the election. Why take the risk when there is no reward? Only an idiot would do that...well on second thought...

Nancy has every right to speak out as to who should and should not represent the district.

Even Mitt Romney thinks his boy Baxley was an idiot on Schiavo. Nice

Bob Ward rocks!

Will the Citrus County Cult members who work/intern for the House be kicked to the curb now that RC is gone?

Paul Hawkes and J. Edgar Hoover were separated at birth.

Oh, trust me Nancy will most certainly get involved. She can kill all these guys, especially after they have been speaking so badly against her. She can do it without ever jeopardizing anyhting she might have going. If these guys were smart at all, they would not screw with her, they woud court her for her help. But, they are not too smart at all and that is why the Dems will probably win. Ole "brickface" can stop them in their tracks.

10:28 The Pastor at the Seven Rivers Church backed Corcoran when he was sent by Thrasher to run against Nancy when she was in the House. Corcoran lost by 72%. It will be even worse now. That Pastor almost lost his tax exemption and it will be the same issue now if he uses the church to try that again.

10:47 Yes we did kno wshe has a GED. Since she posts it everywhere. She even goes to the PACE houses for girls and tell them how they can also get there GED's. Congrats to her. She had a child, kept it, raised it and worked sevral jobs to make ends meet, then went and got her GED. What a great Republican story of self responsibility. You must have been handed everything on a silver platter, which means you have no lifes experience at all. Go Nancy we re so proud of you. Did you know the Senate Pres had no formal education? Did you know Senator Fasano has a GED also?

I'll take a GED any day over a JD from a super right wing freak.