If Rep. Connie Mack of Fort Myers leaves to run for U.S. Senate, his old friend and former Lt. Gov., Jeff Kottkamp, said he’s “strongly considering” running for Mack's Congressional seat.
He’d be a fool not to consider a run. In the three-way Republican primary for attorney general, won by Pam Bondi, Kottkamp rolled up his biggest margins in Lee County, which he carried with 67 percent of the vote. He won Collier County to the south with 53 percent and Charlotte to the north with 47 percent of the vote.
“This is my home base and I would expect to be very competitive if we decide to do it,” Kottkamp said. “There are a lot of things that go into these decisions. First of all, we have to wait and see if there’s a vacant seat.”
What else is a consideration?
“With these challenges and the new Constitutional amendments (concerning the drawing of political boundaries),” he said, “it may be right before qualifying before we find out what the districts look like.”
Assuming the district doesn’t change too much (remember, Florida picks up two new congressional seats), Kottkamp looks on paper as if he’ll walk into office. Still, 2012 is ten million years in the future in political years (it’s kinda like dog years with more volatility).
“Connie Mack is weighing all the same things I am about running,” Kottkamp said. “He’s in a safe seat right now. It’s a wonderful district. When he was in the Legislature he always wanted to represent this area. And he jumped at the chance. I can’t blame him.”
DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT HE DID WHILE HE WAS LT. GOV BESIDES RACK UP MILEAGE FROM TALLY TO HIS HOME?
Posted by: George Fuller | January 14, 2011 at 10:20 PM
He was one of the few truly honorable leaders in Tallahassee these past few years. A good and decent man. Not many of those around. And he tried to pay for his travel before anyone even brought it up and they wouldn't take it.
Posted by: SG | January 15, 2011 at 08:51 AM
As a Freshman legislator he, Connie Mack and a few others was part of a group called "The Freedom Caucus"---they opposed any efforts to raise taxes and he lead the fight to repeal the intangibles tax. Over the last few years he was the ONLY conservative voice in the Governor's office.
Posted by: Reaganite | January 15, 2011 at 09:23 AM
Those who served with him in the House and those who went before him when he was Chairman of Judiciary found him to be smart, humble and a genuinely nice person.
He would be a great Congressman.
Posted by: Good choice | January 15, 2011 at 10:00 AM
Jeff Kottkamp has to be the biggest hypocrite to have ever held an elected office. He blew more than a million dollars in wasted TAX PAYER MONEY! This guy actually tried to make FHP provide him a shuttle around Italy while he was there on his BIRTHDAY!
Articles & Links:
TALLAHASSEE — Four years of security and travel expenses for Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp cost taxpayers more than $1 million and will lead to tighter travel rules for his successor.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/gubernatorial/lt-gov-jeff-kottkamp-racks-up-11m-in-security-travel-costs/1142839
Cerabino: Lieutenant governor leaves office as clueless as ever
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/cerabino-lieutenant-governor-leaves-office-as-clueless-as-1057818.html
Self-important Kottkamp can't leave soon enough
http://www.tampabay.com//opinion/editorials/self-important-kottkamp-cant-leave-soon-enough/1135115
Posted by: vic | January 15, 2011 at 12:01 PM
"vic"---you know that's not true---but don't let that get in the way.
For those that have watched Kottcamp for the last decade he has demonstrated time and time again that he is an honest, hard working conservative.
As Lt. Governor he was a leader in the fight to maintain our nation's position as the leader in space. http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2010/feb/16/states-lt-gov-tells-port-salerno-audience-white/.
He also led the fight against pill mills and pain clinics. http://www.americantowns.com/fl/tallahassee/news/lt-governor-kottkamp-convenes-first-meeting-of-statewide-prescription-drug-task-force-247416
This guy would be a GREAT member of Congress.
Posted by: S.Marshall | January 16, 2011 at 02:37 PM