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Gallagher announces bid for governor
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Race
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| Contributor | Some say... |
| Last Edited | Some say... May 18, 2005 07:52pm |
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| Category | News |
| News Date | Thursday, May 19, 2005 01:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | TALLAHASSEE - Tom Gallagher formally jumped into the governor's race Wednesday, bidding for the conservative base of the Republican Party with a call for more school vouchers, tax cuts, lawsuit limits and a gay marriage ban.
Gallagher, 61, announced his fourth bid for governor as he stood on the steps of the state Capitol with his wife, Laura, and 6-year-old son.
Trying to shed his image as a GOP moderate, Gallagher stressed his experience as insurance commissioner, education commissioner and chief financial officer, and his new life as a family man better equip him to lead the state now.
His son, Charlie, filed the paperwork for him to run, Gallagher said. He last ran for governor in 1994.
"The last time my hair was a little less gray," Gallagher noted. "With age comes experience, and that experience helps define me."
Once considered a playboy, Gallagher cited his time as husband and father as the "very personal reason" behind his decision to run.
"We must continue to improve our business climate, we must continue to cut taxes, we must continue to do away with unnecessary regulation and we must enact meaningful lawsuit reform," Gallagher said. "As governor I will defend the values that keep our families strong."
Gallagher is the second high-profile Republican to enter the race to succeed Gov. Jeb Bush, who must leave because of term limits. Polls put Gallagher slightly behind Attorney General Charlie Crist in the GOP race. Republican Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings has hinted at running but many political observers do not expect her to get in the race.
Gallagher ran for governor in 1982, 1986 and 1994. He withdrew early the first time, was defeated in the 1986 Republican primary by Bob Martinez, who went on to become governor, and by Bush in 1994.
He served seven terms in the Florida House and has won statewide office three times.
Two longtime political friends were on hand to support Gallagher when he announced: former Rep. Peter Dunbar from P |
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