(Speaker?) Weatherford emerges

[Rep. Will Weatherford chats with House Speaker Marco Rubio in April. House photo | Mark Foley]

It has long been known that Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, is seeking to become speaker, but House elders told him and others vying for the position to keep it quiet. We're talking about 2012, after all.

But increasingly, Weatherford has been brought into the open. To wit: these fundraisers (1/2) where the 28-year-old will stand aside Ray Sansom and Dean Cannon.

Next year, Weatherford's name will appear for the first time on a ballot. He was named a replacement candidate in 2006 after Ken Littlefield headed for what he thought was a future with the Public Service Commission.

Comments

He is a helluva guy, one of the few that is actually worth a damn.

Peter Nehr was suppose to have this locked up LOL LOL

I just think it is weird that the Republicans choose their speaker years in advance before anyone has a chance to prove themselves. With that said, Will is a good guy.

I heard Seth McKeel is a strong bet for Speaker.

Seth McKeel would be the better choice. He has actually won a real election and has more experience as an elected official, both in state and local government.

Seth is a strong bet for State Senate. Did you hear that?

Too bad Seth didn't win it, but you guys keep plugging for him i'm sure if he wins on the blogs everyone will change their minds...

Will has had the speakership locked it since before the end of his first session.

He's a good guy combined with his previous experience in the House.

He'll be a fine speaker.

You all forget that the GOP must maintain the majority. 2012 is a LONG time from now.

VERY TRUE and it is highly likely Charlie will turn the state back over to the D's before he is finished.

[legislative aid]

I heard it's not locked up and Will may not get it.

That's why you will always be a legislative aide!!

136 - Don't worry about Charlie giving the state back to the D's. Rubio is doing a good enough job of it on his own.

2010 takeover.

Hey Dummy that's when Charlie is up for re-election and thus will be turning it back over...follow along closely if you can.

1:22 it was the same endemic problem for the D's...it's a systematic quirk more than anything. I think even Jim Davis was in line for Speaker, until the '94 revolution and Sam Gibbons retirement changed his plans.

Why does this post mention Mark Foley... I smell RATS. =)

What about this guy Kurt Kelly from Ocala? Hear he is in the running also.

Of course everyone's still technically "in the running" but they'll have a tough time beating someone who works as hard as Weatherford and who is genuinely such a good person. He'll make the best speaker and one that will make it the best experience for the rest of the membership as well because he won't lose respect for those he serves with.

Mark Foley is the photographer genius

I would like to see House members hold off on running for speaker-designate until after a full term in office. But any legislator who waits will lose to one who doesn't. Too bad. Members would benefit from seeing their colleague in action, before pledging support.
Even so, Weatherford is an excellent choice. Maybe for 2014?

Yeah they are in the running that's why Sansom and Cannon are putting Weatherford's name on RPOF fundraiser invitations. You people are so slow you must be new to the process.

Right. Weatherford in 2012. Start the one-term wait for the 2014 Speaker.

2:25 I hate to break it to you but Weatherford's term ends in 2014 so he might have a difficult time "locking" that speakership down, which is why he chose to "lock" down 2013 and 2014 when he will actually be in office.

2:24, sorry you didn't get my attempt at humor. Elitist.

Hey watch the language 2:34 there are kids here.

What a photo op for the young turks! Reminds me of the ones you see in the WW2 history books - German, that is.

I hear Ram Sweeney of Westerburg is in the running as well.

Are you people drinking? There is no running anymore it's over move on!

Marco: “Whaaaaaaaa, I want attention, I want attention…”

Chuck: “Settle down you punk”

Marco: “Whaaaaaaaaa, how come the people like you more?”

Chuck: “Because I lie well… and have a nice tan?”

Marco: “Whaaaaa… I want a tan too, I WANT A TAN TOO!”

Chuck: “How about a nice ice cream cone and a walk through a public men’s room? I’ll even give you $20 to spend any way you want to!”

Marco: “Make it two $20 bills, I’m hungry.”

Chuck: “No, you know we’re trying to trim the buget!”

Marco: “Whaaaaaaaaa… I’m telling uncle Bob!”

Chuck: “Shhhhhh… fine, here’s $60… miserable little punk in man clothes!”

Marc0: “Whaaaaaaaaa…”

Chuck: “SHHHHH… here’s another $20”

[pumkin']

These dialogues are about as tiresome as they are original. Please refrain from wasting the bandwith any further with these posts. Thanks.

Are you kidding me?... that's a freaking riot because it's close to true!

Kelly - as well as McBurney, Dorworth, Hudson and Ford - is running for the minority leader job after Weatheford finishes with it in 2014.

The system is most certainly flawed. No member should be considered for the top leadership post until he or she has sponsored major legislation (and successfully got it passed on his or her own) and has Chaired a major committee. This is the only way for the Members to assess the skills, leadership ability, etc...of potential Speakers. That being said, I believe if the House Freshman had taken their time they still would have made the same choice. Wetherford is solid, honest, hard working...and very importantly..Humble.

Seriously? You think Franklin Sands is going to lead the Democrats to the Majority? Moses couldn't part the red sea of Republicans in the House, much less a mope like Sands.

How does anybody know if someone is solid, honest, hard working and most of all humble if that person has never been in leadership? This is absurd!

Ford, Hudson, and Dorworth are running for what????

as long as the House keeps electing 32ish speakers they will never get anywhere with the senate. youth was shown to be a disadvantage this past special when the senate waited and waited and waited then dropped their prop tax plan on the House right before running outta town. right or wrong, it was politically a good move for the senate that the romper room in the House wasn't expecting.

what does age have to do with it?

How is someone being designated "leader" when they have never won an election?

On yeah...Bense

Legacies are lame.

sorry, a real election

5:43 - They are all part of the pre-freshman class and have made plans to run for Speaker in the class AFTER weatherford's.

5:43 - They are all part of the pre-freshman class and have made plans to run for Speaker in the class AFTER weatherford's.

you will likely see mike weinstein emerge as a north florida powerhouse, he is smart, mature and strong, speaker weinstein is on the way!

3:35 - You posts are a riot...I laugh every time I see them. Where did "punk in mans clothes" come from? I love it.

[ginger]

"I heard Ronald McDonald" was going to get it. Its so blatantly obvious that when something starts with "I heard" its a plug for whomever they WANT to win.

Please don't feed the trolls!

Anyone else remember the Speaker Cappelli posts? Lots of things can happen between now and 2012 and 2014. First and foremost, these people have to be in office on those dates, considering that one of them (Weatherford) has never actually been on the ballot.

[From there]

Weintstein will be quite a "powerhouse" after his indictment.

Before we annoit Weinstein, someone might want to ask Representative Lad Daniels what Jacksonville voters think about their city leadership these days.

The problems in the House have nothing to do with age - it is maturity that is lacking.