Half of Rick Scott’s Lt. Gov. Shortlist Tells Him No

Tallahassee, FL — And then there were two. Less than a week after Rick Scott floated a four-person shortlist for lieutenant governor, half of those named have publicly told the governor they don’t want the job. 

Yesterday, Seminole County Sheriff Don Eslinger rejected Rick Scott’s job offer. Last week, the school superintendent of St. Johns County, Joseph Joyner, likewise removed himself from consideration, saying that selection for LG would “render me ineffective.”

“It took Rick Scott over eight months to compose a shortlist of four people, but less than a week for half his picks to reject his offer. It’s clear that the folks on Rick Scott’s shortlist view the second-highest spot on the 2014 ballot as a political dead end. They’re running alright, the other way,” said FPD Executive Director Scott Arceneaux.

Background

Seminole sheriff withdraws from Gov. Rick Scott’s lieutenant governor search. Seminole County Sheriff Don Eslinger on Monday formally declined Gov. Rick Scott’s offer to be considered as a possible lieutenant governor, becoming the second person on Scott’s four-person short list to turn him down. (Tampa Bay Times, 11/25/13)

Rick Scott shortlist pick says LG post would “render me ineffective.” Less than two days after his name popped up on a short list to become Gov. Rick Scott’s lieutenant governor, St. Johns County School District Superintendent Joseph Joyner has asked to be removed from consideration. (Florida Times-Union, 11/21/13).