Key West Democrat to be House leader

BY BREANNE GILPATRICK AND STEVE BOUSQUET
Miami Herald/Times Tallahassee Bureau

TALLAHASSEE -- In a departure from the Legislature's traditionally predetermined leadership races, Rep. Ron Saunders -- a Key West Democrat whose district stretches into Miami-Dade County -- was selected as the next House Democratic leader after winning the post Tuesday by just two votes.

Saunders, a 54-year-old attorney, edged out Rep. Perry Thurston, D-Plantation. He takes over for current Democratic leader Rep. Franklin Sands of Weston in 2010 and will serve until 2012.

Legislators typically rally behind one candidate prior to any leadership votes, making Tuesday's split unusual.

Following the vote, Saunders vowed to bring both factions together.

''We're moving forward as a united team,'' he said.

Saunders was first elected in 1986, when Democrats held the majority.

He left office in 1994 and returned to the House in 2006 -- the same year Thurston was elected.

But many lawmakers sided with Thurston despite the seniority gap.

Thurston said some Democrats don't agree with Saunders' record of sometimes voting with Republicans.

For example, when lawmakers attempted to reform the state's property tax system in 2007, Saunders was one of three Democrats to vote in favor of a Republican proposal passing through one of his committees.

Another issue, some said: diversity. Like the two preceding leaders, Saunders is white. Thurston is black.

Thurston said he plans to support Saunders.

''We have to be a team to accomplish the things we want to accomplish,'' he said. ``It wasn't a regional thing or a racial thing. We just had different areas of support.''

Saunders will spend the next two years raising support for Democratic House candidates to reduce the GOP's 76-44 House majority.

If Democrats pick up a majority, Saunders would become House speaker. Otherwise, he will be the lead voice for the minority.

The previous three House minority leaders also have been from Dade or Broward.

On Wednesday, Senate Democrats are expected to tap Sen. Nan Rich, D-Weston, as their Democratic leader, which would make 2010 the second time since 2006 that both Democratic leaders have represented South Florida.