Some names that should give pause to Republican U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio (and Senate potential CFO candidate Jeff Atwater, among others): House Speaker Ralph Haben; Senate President Harry Johnston; Senate President John Vogt; House Speaker Tom Gustafson; Senate President Ander Crenshaw; House Speaker Peter Wallace; House Speaker Johnnie Byrd; Senate President Tom Lee.

All were presiding officers in the Legislature who learned that being a big shot in Tallahassee by no means ensures statewide electoral success. Am I missing anyone?

The only presiding officer in the past generation to win statewide? Senate President Bob Crawford, elected commissioner of agriculture nearly 20 years ago.

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