Farrell Files: Sink, Dockery and Bondi -- Year of Woman in 2010?

Election 2010 is quickly shaping up to look like the "Year of the Woman" in Florida politics. 

First, CFO Alex Sink jumped into the Governor's race and quickly became the Democratic Frontrunner.  Last week Lakeland State Senator Paula Dockery announced she will be taking on Bill McCollum for the Republican Nomination for Governor. 

And this week it is expected that Veteran Hillsborough Prosecutor and frequent national cable guest Pam Bondi will enter the Republican Primary for Attorney General against current Lt. Governor and Kenny Loggins Fan Jeff Kottkamp. 

Bondi will be a formidable candidate for a number of reasons, including some not of her making...

Bondi is the only candidate on the Republican side who has any criminal prosecutorial experience.  She's also spent the better part of a decade on cable television as an expert in many high profile criminal cases.  Many Floridians already recognize her face and have a favorable opinion of her. 

On the other hand, few Floridians could pick her opponents, Jeff Kottkamp and Holly Benson, out of a lineup.  Those who recognize Kottkamp's name - likely remember his name for his use of a state plane to travel to see rocker Kenny Loggins play in Atlanta (I guess Yanni or Tesh weren't on tour) OR for his days as a multimillionaire trial lawyer on the payroll of John Morgan... as in "For the People". 

Remember Kottkamp is running in the Republican Primary as a trial lawer -- the former right-hand man of the biggest trial lawyer of them all.  Most Florida Republicans have a special place for trial lawyers... right below Osama Bin Laden on the most wanted list.  Add to that -- Kottkamp's lack of law and order credentials and you have the making of a strong candidacy in the primary for Bondi.

Healthcare Passes House

Not sure where the Healthcare bill is heading in the Senate... But if something gets to the President's desk that eliminates the right of insurance companies to dump you when you are sick or deny you coverage for a pre-existing condition, then progress will have been made...

Until we meet again - Dare to Be Great.