Democrats divided, Republicans united [Black female vet may be chosen as GOP gov running mate]

NEWS ANALYSIS

Democrats divided, Republicans united

The contest to replace Gov. Jeb Bush features a Republican who wants to preserve his legacy and a Democrat who wants to tear it down.

Charlie Crist coasted to victory. Jim Davis stumbled into it.

Crist, the Republican, and Davis, the Democrat, will meet each other in the Nov. 7 general election, but they begin the race to be Florida's next governor in vastly different shape.

Davis, a congressman who blasts the way business is done in Florida's capital, arrives at the general-election race battered and broke, still shaken by the pounding he took from rival Rod Smith, the Alachua state senator who blasted him for opposing state compensation for two black men who were wrongfully convicted four decades ago. Davis' first tasks: repair the wounds of his divided party and make peace with crucial black voters...

Crist enters the contest with more money in his pocket and a sound-bite friendly message perfected by his mentor, former U.S. Sen. Connie Mack. Crist offers optimism and hope, promising to continue the programs of popular Gov. Jeb Bush while portraying himself as a populist leader.

''We know that when government stays within its proper bounds, the opportunities to our citizens truly become boundless,'' Crist told a jubilant crowd of 700 supporters in St. Petersburg Tuesday night.

``Starting tonight, people will have a choice: Will Florida continue to prosper? Will Florida continue to be a national leader in education reform, continue to offer hope and promise to our people, or will we go back to the days that have failed us in the past?''

The matchup between Crist and Davis has been shaping up for months as both front-runners braced for the general election with a mainstream message aimed past their primary opponents and to Florida's key swing voters -- those with no party affiliation.

Those voters, and the party loyalists who picked the lineup for the general election, will set the direction for the next era in Florida politics -- life after Jeb...

As both campaigns gear up for the eight-week battle ahead, several factors are likely to influence the outcome:

• [Jeb] Bush: The governor stayed out of the primary but has promised to campaign vigorously for the Republican nominee.

Both Crist and Gallagher portrayed themselves as the keeper of his legacy, promising to continue his programs. Polls show that kind of promise plays well: A Miami Herald poll by Zogby International shows that while 83 percent of Republican voters believe Bush's policies should be continued, as many as 25 percent of Democrats also agree...

Both candidates have until noon Sept. 12 to pick a running mate, and both have remained mum on their prospects. Crist's short list is rumored to include House Speaker Allan Bense and Jacksonville state Rep. Jennifer Carroll, a former Navy lieutenant and African American.

Relative to his running mate -- who cares?

Well, I'm in FL, too, and with all due respect to your opinion -- I care very much who is the running mate. Gov Jeb Bush selected a woman to be Lt Gov for his 2nd term, and that choice made history, as it was the first time a woman in this state ever served in such a high-level position. And, I thought Toni Jennings, a former teacher and business owner, did a great job as Lt Gov.

But, now, to have a black woman who is qualified, and a vet -- well, we are making history again, here. And, to me, that is very exciting. I think all women voters will now take an extra long look at the GOP gov ticket, no matter where those female voters may be in the political aisle.

So, I think it does matter.

Is she married???

Yes, she is married with three children. Here is her bio:

JENNIFER CARROLL
FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, DISTRICT 13

In 2003, Jennifer won election to the State House of Representatives, District 13 and was subsequently reelected without opposition in 2004. She is the first African-American female Republican ever to be elected to the Florida Legislature. Currently, Representative Carroll is the Vice-Chair of the Ethics and Elections Committee and serves on the Finance & Tax, Growth Management and Business Regulation Committees, in addition to her duties as Majority Whip.

...Jennifer is the former Executive Director of Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs. She was responsible for the claims and benefits of over 1.8 million veterans. Under her leadership, more than $63 million in retroactive compensation was awarded to Florida veterans. She lobbied for the retention of state construction funds for the Bay and Charlotte County State Veterans' Nursing Homes, and led the generation of two federal matching grant applications that resulted in $15 million in federal funds for these projects. She was also the Chairperson for Florida's Council on Homelessness. Jennifer sought ways to provide enhanced services toward solving Florida's homeless problem, particularly within the veteran's community. She also worked closely with the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs to secure Jacksonville as a site to receive a national veteran's cemetery.

Jennifer holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of New Mexico and an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Florida Metropolitan University.

Jennifer enlisted in the Navy in 1979, and rose through the ranks from an enlisted Jet Mechanic to retire as a highly decorated Lieutenant Commander Aviation Maintenance Officer after 20-years service.

Jennifer has received numerous awards for her community service. She was the recipient of the 2001 Center for New Black Leadership Excellence in Leadership Award, 1998 First Coast African American Women Award, 1996 Clay County Chamber of Commerce Military Person of the Year, 1996 YMCA Black Achievers Award recipient. In 1999 and 2002 she was awarded the "Top 10" Republican Award from the Clay County Republican Party, and in 2004, "Legislator of the Year" from the Northeast Florida Realtors Association.

Jennifer is a graduate of Project Blue Print Class of '97 and Leadership Jacksonville Class of '97. She is a Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Orange Park Rotary, Paul Harris Fellow, First Coast African American Chamber of Commerce, member of Florida Metropolitan University Board of Governor, Clay County Republican Executive Committee, Federated Republican Women of Clay, dual member of Federated Republican Women of Duval, and dual member of Duval Federated Republican Women's Club. She is the former Commissioner on the Jacksonville Mayor's Commission on the Status of Women, a former Board Member of Gateway Girl Scouts Council, Inc., and also a former Jacksonville Community Council Inc. member. She was also an affiliate, and former Governor Appointee to the Northeast Regional Planning Council. Jennifer is also an active member of American Legion Post 0197 and The Fleet Reserve Association Post 128.

...In 2001 President George W. Bush appointed Jennifer to "The White House Presidential Scholar's Commission," where she served until the spring of 2004. In May of 2004, Jennifer was appointed to the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission by President Bush.

Jennifer resides in Clay County and is married to Mr. Nolan Carroll. They have three children.

I have heard her speak and she would be a fantastic choice.

Here's some Bio information from her state website:

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4331&SessionId=42

Rep. Jennifer Collins

City of Residence:
Green Cove Springs

Occupation: Retired U.S. Navy

Spouse: Nolan Carroll

Child(ren): Nolan II, Nyckie, Necho

Education: University of New Mexico, B.A., 1983-1985; Florida Metropolitan University Honorary Doctorate Degree
Born: August 27, 1959

Military: Enlisted in the United States Navy in 1979 and served for 20 years. Served as a jet mechanic and worked her way up through the ranks to retire as a Lieutenant Commander Aviation Maintenance Officer; Meritorious Service Medal; two Navy Commendation Medals; two Navy Achievement Medals; National Defense Service Medal; Overseas Ribbon; two Coast Guard Special Operation Ribbons; Expert Pistol Medal

Moved to Florida: 1986

Religious Affiliation: Christian

Recreational Interest: stained glass creation, traveling

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