Nominees

Lt. Gov. Kenneth H. "Buddy" MacKay (D)
Rising slowly but surely through the party ranks, MacKay is currently serving his second term as lieutenant governor. After serving a combined 12 years in the Florida Senate and House, MacKay won election to the U.S. House from Florida's 6th District in 1982. He narrowly lost a U.S. Senate bid to Republican Sen. Connie Mack in 1988. An old friend of President Clinton, MacKay can count on substantial fund-raising help, but he has faced opposition from both Democrats and outside critics who insisted he is not a strong enough candidate to win the governorship. MacKay chose Rick Dantzler, his former rival for the Democratic nomination, as his running mate on June 30. Dantzler, a former state senator, was a favorite of Gov. Lawton Chiles (D).
Campaign Web site
E-mail: buddy@mackay98.org

Jeb Bush (R)
Bush narrowly lost a tough gubernatorial race in 1994 and has been positioning himself for another bid almost continuously since. The conservative Miami businessman has been getting a little help from his friend, state GOP chairman Tom Slade, who has worked to keep other Republican candidates out of the race. Bush, son of former president George Bush and brother of Texas Gov. George W. Bush (R), opposes abortion and favors fewer appeals for death row inmates. He announced his running mate, state Education Commissioner Frank Brogan, on July 6. Bush renewed his search for a running mate after his first choice, Secretary of State Sandra Mortham, withdrew from the ticket in January amid accusations that she used state money for self-promotion.
Campaign Web site
E-mail: jebbush@jeb.org