Tom Rooney Makes Sense for Florida CFO

Most eyes are on Tallahassee as Republicans ponder a replacement for Jeff Atwater to serve as state CFO. But there is one possible candidate who has been more tied to Washington in recent years — Tom Rooney.

Some of the sharpest minds in Florida politics are insisting Rooney should not be ruled out as a possible candidate to replace Atwater and it makes sense if the congressman, who has said he misses Florida, wants to move up the political ladder. Congressmen like Bill McCollum, Connie Mack IV and Jim Davis have had problems moving up to hold either the governorship or a U.S. Senate seat. Holding a lower state office can often lead to a higher one. With Congress polling lower than cockroaches, Rooney might also want another office to use as his base before he sets his eyes on being governor or tries for a U.S. Senate seat.

The grandson of Pittsburgh Steelers founder Art Rooney, Tom Rooney, after graduating from college, worked for Connie Mack III’s Senate mail room. Rooney cites it as a formative experience which gave him insight into understanding the issues confronting everyday Floridians. After going to law school, Rooney joined the Army, served in the JAG Corps and taught classes at West Point. He returned to Florida and became an assistant attorney general.