Tom Slade, a popular former chair of the Republican Party of Florida, today enthusiastically endorsed the gubernatorial bid of State Sen. Paula Dockery, saying, “She’d be a first-class governor of Florida.”
“Paula is smart. She’s got good business sense. She is a strong leader. And she’s been around state government long enough to know every nook and cranny of the process, and how it works.”
“She also is a very pleasant, personable individual. She’d be a likable governor.”
Slade, of Jacksonville, was party chairman during the 1990s, which included the first election of former Gov. Jeb Bush, as well as the election of a Republican majority in Florida’s Cabinet and both houses of the Florida Legislature.
“Jeb made some very good strides in education, but it’s going to take strong leadership to continue making progress. Paula has shown a long-term commitment to public education, which remains Florida’s most important challenge,” Slade said.
Dockery’s experience, he added, makes her the best candidate for governor. “She’s got the kind of tenacity you need, and she’s got the knowledge.”
Slade also believes Dockery would make the best general-election candidate against presumptive Democratic nominee Alex Sink. “Paula would be better positioned to win the general election than her opponent. She has a delightful personality and a pleasantness that is rare in most politicians.”
Slade said he’s confident Dockery will also give needed new direction to a state party that has lost its way. “She is committed to straightening out the deficiencies that exist at the state party.”
