Jimmy Patronis, Florida’s new chief financial officer, said Wednesday he is starting a political committee but hasn’t decided if he will run for the Cabinet office next year.
“I’m really thinking about it,” Patronis said after a Cabinet meeting. “I’m praying about it, and I am talking to my family a lot. You know, I’ll make a decision real soon.”
As with other political committees, Patronis “Treasure Florida” committee would not be bound by limits on contribution amounts.
Gov. Rick Scott appointed Patronis in June to finish the term of former Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, who resigned to take a position at Florida Atlantic University.
Patronis, a Panama City Republican, served eight years in the state House before being appointed by Scott to the Florida Public Service Commission. He left the utility-regulatory panel when Scott appointed him chief financial officer.
Former Democratic Sen. Jeremy Ring is the only candidate who has formally entered next year’s race for chief financial officer.
Republished with permission of the News Service of Florida