Lawton "Bud" Chiles for Governor 2006

UPI is reporting that Lawton "Bud" Chiles, the son of the late Governor Lawton Chiles will be running for Governor of Florida in 2006.

Chiles is currently a developer. Chiles is a moderate Democrat and possible in the DLC. His dad served 18 years in the US Senate before winning two successful terms as Governor.

"If you're going to run a campaign in 67 counties you can't start a year from the election," the would-be first-time candidate said.

Though he declined to speak in detail about his plans, Chiles did have some harsh words for his party, which has suffered serious reversals in the last decade. Democrats, he said, "have failed to field candidates who can relate and speak to the diverse array of voters" and have have too easily been "negatively pigeonholed" by the Republicans.

U.S. Rep. Jim Davis, state Sen. Rod Smith and Florida Democratic Chairman Scott Maddox are the other names that pop up in the Democratic primary race and neither can match the well-known name recognition that the 51 year old has.

Gov. Jeb Bush is unable to seek a third term under state law.