FL-Gov: Rubio for governor in 2018?

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Would Putnam not prefer to challenge Nelson in 2018?

I thought that it was all-but-certain that Putnam is going to run for Governor.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

So,
Rick Scott is running for senate in 2018, and we will have a messy republican primary for FL governor?

I highly doubt Scott will run in 2018; Florida GOP politics are planned out, as SJoyce noted, and I just don't see how Scott running for Senate would fit in with those plans.

Who will the RPOF run for the 2018 seat if Scott doesn't? Assuming that Atwater & Putnam are going to bludgeon each other in the Gov primary - Rooney? Weatherford?

I don't know about Atwater, but I thought Putnam and Bondi were all-but-in (although they may not have the primary field to themselves).  I've heard Rooney is very interested in running for Senate, so he will probably run if he doesn't go for Rubio's open seat.  I could also see Vern Buchanan running (although he may be smart enough to realize Nelson would crush him if he made it past the primary).  If Dennis Ross is interested, he could also be a strong GE candidate although he might be vulnerable to a tea-party flavored candidate in the primary.  Given how Ron DeSantis has already consolidated a bunch of antiestablishment support (from both tea party and non-tea party groups), I suspect Clawson sits out 2016 which means he could potentially fill that ideological niche if he ran in 2018. 

On a different note, I know that Bob Buckhorn is all-but-in for Governor on the Democratic side (and seems like he could be a pretty solid candidate), but I was wondering if anyone else is expected to challenge him for the Democratic nomination (not that I have any objection to Buckhorn at this early date, just curious).

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

So,
Rick Scott is running for senate in 2018, and we will have a messy republican primary for FL governor?

I highly doubt Scott will run in 2018; Florida GOP politics are planned out, as SJoyce noted, and I just don't see how Scott running for Senate would fit in with those plans.

Who will the RPOF run for the 2018 seat if Scott doesn't? Assuming that Atwater & Putnam are going to bludgeon each other in the Gov primary - Rooney? Weatherford?

I don't know about Atwater, but I thought Putnam and Bondi were all-but-in (although they may not have the primary field to themselves).  I've heard Rooney is very interested in running for Senate, so he will probably run if he doesn't go for Rubio's open seat.  I could also see Vern Buchanan running (although he may be smart enough to realize Nelson would crush him if he made it past the primary).  If Dennis Ross is interested, he could also be a strong GE candidate although he might be vulnerable to a tea-party flavored candidate in the primary.  Given how Ron DeSantis has already consolidated a bunch of antiestablishment support (from both tea party and non-tea party groups), I suspect Clawson sits out 2016 which means he could potentially fill that ideological niche if he ran in 2018. 

Putnam's been all-but-in for Governor; he's not interested in the Senate. Bondi could be interesting, though I'm not sure how much she wants the job - she's sounded a few notes of antipathy towards the Senate when asked about it this cycle. Can't see Ross being a strong candidate - he's been fairly quiet in Congress, not much to run on. Someone like Rooney would be a more dynamic candidate. Also can't see Buchanan - his ethics issues should sink him. Then again, we elected Rick Scott.

On a different note, I know that Bob Buckhorn is all-but-in for Governor on the Democratic side (and seems like he could be a pretty solid candidate), but I was wondering if anyone else is expected to challenge him for the Democratic nomination (not that I have any objection to Buckhorn at this early date, just curious).

Possibly some South FL Dem seeking a bigger profile - Jack Seiler (mayor of Ft. Lauderdale) or somebody like that. No one who'll present a real threat to Buckhorn.

I meant that I thought Putnam and Bondi were all-but-in for Governor.