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Florida's Jilted Governors

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 14, 2008

Charlie Crist, who was considered a possible running mate to Republican presidential candidate John McCain before Sarah Palin got the nod, is one of several Florida governors who had a chance at the second top spot and lost it.

In 1908, Democratic presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan flirted with and then abandoned Florida Gov. Napoleon Bonaparte Broward.

In 1960, Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kennedy admired Florida Gov. LeRoy Collins, who was on JFK's veep list. Kennedy realized, however, he had to carry Texas to defeat Richard Nixon, so he decided to offer the vice presidential slot to his bitter rival, Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson, knowing that the headstrong Texan would refuse. Johnson shocked Kennedy by accepting.

In 1968, Richard Nixon considered Florida Gov. Claude Kirk as his running mate before choosing Maryland Gov. Spiro Agnew. It turned out to be a winning ticket but Agnew proved to be even more quirky than Kirk, and resigned office in a corruption scandal.

Gary R. Mormino

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