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.