The two state senators from South Florida have agreed to a joint appearance in the Tigers’ Den to let Tampa Bay look them over and hear their pitch to manage Florida’s legal affairs. Both have prosecutorial experience. Gelber spent a decade in the U.S. attorney’s office, specializing in criminal cases, and worked as counsel on a U.S. Senate subcommittee on terrorism in the 1990s. Aronberg spent two years as an assistant attorney general specializing in civil matters (and shutting down TV-psychic Miss Cleo) for Bob Butterworth, who he cites as a role model.
Beyond legal matters, Tigers may wish to quiz the candidates on the broader business of the State Cabinet including environmental lands purchases and oversight of state investments. And we will be mid-session with an array of pending issues on which the Democratic minority looks to have a say. The two agree on some substantive issues but look for sharp debate on who is best qualified to be Florida’s top lawyer.
