Poised to make a move?

Some other people to watch in Florida politics in 2012:

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio: One of the few politicians who combines appeal to the tea party movement with solid backing from the Republican establishment. He's coveted as a running mate for the 2012 presidential candidate, a role he says he doesn't want. In any case, he will be a star at the 2012 GOP convention in Tampa.

State Sen. Jack Latvala: The experienced and canny veteran legislator, often a maverick, is mounting an insurgency against the Tallahassee GOP establishment by challenging the party's pick, Sen. Andy Gardiner of Orlando, for Senate president in the 2015-16 term. Insiders don't give him much chance.

Former Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio: Is she headed for a race for higher office? Governor? Cabinet? A congressional seat after the district remapping? As usual, Iorio is keeping her cards close to her vest, but Tampa Bay area Democrats consider her a solid possibility for the future. They just don't know when or for what.

Dan Raulerson: The Plant City mayor is making a move into partisan electoral politics, seeking a state House seat that insiders say he is likely to win. He could be the new face of the East Hillsborough conservative wing of the local GOP.

And there is a whole group of Democrats who are jockeying, or likely start, for the 2014 nomination against Gov. Rick Scott:

Former Gov. Charlie Crist: The rumors never stop. Crist is attending another Democratic fundraiser. Crist is making calls to South Florida Democratic donors. Crist's new boss, superlawyer John Morgan, is pushing him to Democratic leaders. All are answered by Crist's bland, "I'm really enjoying being in the private sector." Would Democrats accept Chain Gang Charlie as party leader?

Former Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink: After she won the CFO seat in 2006 in her first run for office, the first new Democratic statewide winner in eight years, she looked like the party's future. Then she lost to Rick Scott. Some Democrats are disillusioned — how could she lose to Scott? Others note that facing a Republican wave and $73 million of Scott's money, she came closer than any other statewide Democratic candidate.

State Sen. Nan Rich: Can a South Florida liberal ever win another statewide election? Rich, an eloquent spokeswoman for the party's most idealistic issues, including education and helping children and the disabled, is likely to try to find out.

State Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith: He's a good ol' boy from Alachua, he's a charismatic speaker, he has union backing, a wonderful family and Mitt Romney hair. He has tried it before — against Jim Davis in the 2006 Democratic primary — and he will probably try it again.

William March