Alex Sink

Last updated
Bill McBride
​
​
(m. 1987;died 2012)​
Alex Sink
Alex Sink.png
2nd Chief Financial Officer of Florida
In office
January 2, 2007 –January 4, 2011
Children2
Education Wake Forest University (BA)

Adelaide "Alex" Sink (born June 5, 1948) [1] is an American former politician and financier. A member of the Democratic Party, Sink was the Chief Financial Officer for the state of Florida and treasurer on the board of trustees of the Florida State Board of Administration. [2] She was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Florida and faced Republican nominee Rick Scott in the 2010 Florida gubernatorial election, losing to Scott by a 1% margin. [3] Sink also ran as the Democratic nominee in the 2014 special election for Florida's 13th congressional district, losing to Republican David Jolly on March 11, 2014. [4]

Contents

Personal life

Sink was born and raised in Mount Airy, North Carolina, the daughter of Adelaide A. (née Bunker) and Kester A. Sink. [5] Her maternal great-grandfather was Chang Bunker, one of the famous conjoined "Siamese Twins", Chang and Eng Bunker. [6] [7] She is a graduate of Wake Forest University. After graduating with a degree in mathematics, she taught at a girls' school in Sierra Leone and at the American School in Liberia for three years. [8] In 1992, she was elected to the Wake Forest University Board of Trustees, after which she was awarded the University's Distinguished Alumni Award in 1993. [9] In 2000, she was inducted into the Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame. [10]

Sink is the widow of Florida attorney and politician Bill McBride, who was the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for Governor of Florida in 2002, making them the only married American couple to both run unsuccessfully in gubernatorial races. They have a son, Bert, and a daughter, Lexi. [11]

Political career

Sink is a former President of Florida Operations at NationsBank, now Bank of America. [12] She was appointed by former Governor Lawton Chiles to the Commission on Government Accountability to the People. [13] She also served on Chiles' Commission on Education and was vice-chair of Florida TaxWatch. [14] Sink has served with the Florida Chapter of the Nature Conservancy, [15] the Beth El Farm Workers Ministry, [16] and as Chair of the Board of the United Way of Hillsborough County and the Suncoast chapters. [17]

Florida Chief Financial Officer

Sink was the Democratic candidate for Florida's office of Chief Financial Officer in 2006. She defeated Republican Tom Lee 53.5 percent to 46.5 percent. [18] She was also the first Democrat elected to the state Cabinet since 1998. [19]

Florida Taj Mahal scandal

On August 30, 2010, Sink sent letters to the Florida Supreme Court and the Florida governor's inspector general, arguing that preliminary findings of an audit of spending on construction of a new courthouse warranted further investigation. [20] The audit found excessive and ethically questionable spending on the new judicial building--which she referred to as the "Taj Mahal"--for the First District Court of Appeals. [21] The Florida CFO's office subsequently admitted that money may have been misused and that as much as $16 million may have been spent in a financial raid on the state's Workers' Compensation Trust Fund. [22] A $33.5 million bond for construction was attached to a transportation bill and passed on the last day of the 2007 Florida legislative session. [23]

2010 gubernatorial candidate

In 2008, Sink stated that she would "assess the landscape after the first of the year, and make a decision then." [24] In January 2009, Sink announced she would not run for either seat, preferring to stand for reelection as CFO. [25] The announcement that Gov. Charlie Crist would forgo re-election to run for the Senate seat being vacated by Mel Martinez altered her position, and on May 13, 2009, Sink announced her intention to run for governor.

On August 24, 2010, Sink won the Democratic primary for governor. She faced health care executive Rick Scott in the general election, as well as an independent (NPA) candidate, urban designer and policy analyst, Michael E. Arth  [ de; es; fr; ja; zh ]. [26] [27] A former independent candidate, Bud Chiles, endorsed Sink in September 2010. [28]

On October 25, 2010, during a televised debate, Sink read a text message sent to her makeup artist's cellular phone from a campaign official instructing Sink as to debate strategy, contrary to the rules of the debate. Sink fired the adviser who sent the text message. [29]

After a close election, Sink conceded, giving victory to Scott. He scored 49% of the vote to Sink's 48%.

2014 campaign for Congress

Republican Bill Young, who had represented the 13th District and its predecessors since 1971, died on October 18, 2013. On October 30, Sink told the Tampa Bay Times that she would run in the special election to replace him. [30] She quickly gained support from national Democratic power brokers. The only other declared Democratic candidate, Jessica Ehrlich, who had faced Young in the 2012 general election, dropped out of the race on November 6, effectively handing the nomination to Sink. [31] [32] Sink faced David Jolly, Young's former general counsel, in the March 11 election.

A longtime resident of Thonotosassa in eastern Hillsborough County, Sink told the Tampa BayTimes that she would move to Pinellas County as soon as possible. [33] Although members of the House are required only to live in the state they represent, it has become a very strong convention that they live in the district they represent. She signed a one-year lease for an apartment near her campaign headquarters in Clearwater to establish residency in the district, with plans to buy a house in the district later. [34]

The 13th District had been in Republican hands since William Cramer won the seat in 1954; he was succeeded by Young in 1971. [35] It had been one of the earliest districts in the South to turn Republican. It was widely thought that Sink had a chance of winning, as Obama carried the district twice, and Sink carried the district in her 2010 gubernatorial campaign against Scott. The race was close, with Sink earning 46.6 percent of the vote to Jolly's 48.4 percent. [36]

Political positions

Health care

Sink supported the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3020) passed by the United States Congress and enacted on March 30, 2010. [37]

Adoption

Sink believes in the placement of children in a home where it is in the best interests of children, regardless of gender preference. She addressed a group of 300 gay and lesbian advocates at the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale. She said, "We need a system in which all of our children are assured that they live in a healthy, loving home -- a home that's determined not by any law. The decision has to be made by the judge, in consultation with the experts, to determine what is the best for that individual child." [38]

Ruth's List Florida

In 2008, Sink founded Ruth's List Florida, named in honor of United States Representative Ruth Bryan Owen, [39] the first woman to be elected to the United States House of Representatives from Florida and the second to be elected from the American south. [40] The organization aims to elect more Floridian women into public office. [9]

Post-political career

Since her two unsuccessful electoral campaigns, Sink has become involved in mentoring tech startups in the Tampa Bay area. [41] Asked whether she would run for public office again, she said, "I've learned to never say never, but I don't think it will happen." [42]

In 2011, Alex worked to launch the Florida Next Foundation, a non-profit, non-partisan policy foundation. [43] [17]

In 2017, Sink was elected a Life Trustee of Wake Forest University. [9] In 2018, she was named as a member of the Tampa Bay Wave's Board of Directors, [44] [9] and she is still listed on the most recent 2023 Board of Directors. [45]

In 2020, Sink was named 2020 Citizen of the Year by University of Florida's Bob Graham Center for Public Service in an online ceremony, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [46] As of April 2023, she is serving as a co-chair of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition's Florida Advisory Committee. [47] She also sits on the boards of The Dali Museum, Junior Achievement, United Way Suncoast and the Tampa Bay Waves. [48]

Electoral history

Chief Financial Officer of Florida General Election, 2006 [49]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Alex Sink2,479,86153.55
Republican Tom Lee 2,151,23246.45
Total votes4,631,093 100.0
Florida Gubernatorial Democratic Primary, 2010 [50]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Alex Sink663,80076.9
Democratic Brian Moore 199,89623.1
Total votes863,696 100.0
Florida gubernatorial election, 2010 [51]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Rick Scott 2,619,33548.87
Democratic Alex Sink2,557,78547.72
Independence Party of AmericaPeter Allen123,8312.31
Independent C. C. Reed18,8420.35
Independent Michael E. Arth18,6440.35
Independent Daniel Imperato13,6900.26
Independent Farid Khavari7,4870.14
Write-ins1210.0
Majority61,5501.15
Republican gain from Independent
Florida's 13th Congressional District special election, 2014 [52]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican David Jolly 89,09548.52
Democratic Alex Sink85,63946.64
Libertarian Lucas Overby8,8934.84
Total votes183,627 100.0

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlie Crist</span> American politician (born 1956)

Charles Joseph Crist Jr. is an American attorney and politician who served as the 44th governor of Florida from 2007 to 2011 and as the U.S. representative for Florida's 13th congressional district from 2017 to 2022. Crist has been a member of the Democratic Party since 2012; he was previously a Republican before becoming an independent in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Gallagher</span> American politician

C. Thomas Gallagher III is an American politician, financier, and insurance agent from the state of Florida and a member of the Republican Party. Gallagher holds the distinction of having served more years as an elected state official than any other individual in Florida history. He began his career in the Florida House of Representatives, where he served from 1974 to 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chief Financial Officer of Florida</span> Elected statewide constitutional officer of Florida

The chief financial officer of Florida is an elected statewide constitutional officer of Florida. The office was created in 2002 following the 1998 reforms of the Florida Cabinet. The CFO is a combination of the former offices of comptroller and treasurer/insurance commissioner/fire marshal. The office heads the Florida Department of Financial Services and is responsible for overseeing the state's finances, collecting revenue, paying state bills, auditing state agencies, regulating cemeteries and funerals, and handling fires and arsons. In addition, the CFO has administrative oversight over the offices which handles banking and insurance regulation. The CFO is a member of the Cabinet is third in the line of succession to the office of Governor of Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Lee (Florida politician)</span> American politician

Tom Lee is an American Republican politician from Florida. He represented parts of the Tampa area in the Florida Senate from 1996 to 2006, and again from 2012 to 2020. He served as Senate President from 2004 to 2006. He was the Republican nominee for Chief Financial Officer of Florida in 2006, but lost to Democratic nominee Alex Sink.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida's 13th congressional district</span> U.S. House district for Florida

Florida's 13th congressional district is an electoral district for the U.S. Congress on Florida's Gulf Coast, assigned to Pinellas County. The district includes Largo, Clearwater, and Palm Harbor. In the 2020 redistricting cycle, most of St. Petersburg facing Tampa Bay was redistricted into the 14th district, while the rest of Pinellas County formerly in the 12th district became included in the 13th district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jimmy Patronis</span> American politician (born 1972)

Jimmy Theo Patronis Jr. is an American politician serving as the chief financial officer of the state of Florida. He was previously a member of the Florida House of Representatives representing the 6th district, which includes Panama City and other parts of southern Bay County, from 2006 to 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 United States Senate election in Florida</span> Florida portion of the federal election

The 2010 United States Senate election in Florida took place on November 2, 2010, concurrently with other elections to the United States Senate in other states, as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Florida gubernatorial election</span> Election for the governorship of the U.S. state of Florida

The 2010 Florida gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 2010. Republican-turned-Independent incumbent Governor Charlie Crist chose not to run for a second term and he ran unsuccessfully for the Senate seat vacated by Mel Martínez. This resulted in an open race for Governor of Florida in which Republican Rick Scott narrowly defeated Democrat Alex Sink.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Florida gubernatorial election</span>

The 2014 Florida gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 2014, to elect the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida</span>

The 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida were held on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 to elect the 27 U.S. representatives from the state of Florida, one from each of the state's 27 congressional districts. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including Governor of Florida. There was no net party change, as Democrat Gwen Graham defeated Republican incumbent Steve Southerland in the 2nd district, while Republican Carlos Curbelo defeated Democratic incumbent Joe Garcia in the 26th district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amanda Murphy (politician)</span> Florida State Representative

Amanda Hickman Murphy is a Democratic politician from Florida. She served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2013 to 2016, representing parts of western Pasco County, including the city of New Port Richey. She was a candidate for the Florida Senate in the 2018 elections, but was defeated by Ed Hooper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Florida's 13th congressional district special election</span>

A special election for Florida's 13th congressional district was held March 11, 2014, to elect a member of the United States House of Representatives, following the death of incumbent Republican Congressman Bill Young on October 18, 2013. Primary elections were held on January 14, 2014. Young, who had already announced that he would not be running for re-election in 2014, was re-elected in 2012 with 57 percent of the vote. With 100% of the precincts reporting, David Jolly was declared the winner.

Jessica Ehrlich is a democratic analyst and attorney specializing in strategic communications and public affairs. She was the Democratic nominee for Florida's 13th congressional district in 2012, losing to long-time incumbent and House Appropriations Committee Chair Bill Young. Ehrlich then became a regular contributor on cable news.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kathleen Peters</span> American politician

Kathleen M. Peters is an American politician of the Republican Party and a former member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing the 69th District, which includes southern Pinellas County, stretching from Redington Shores to St. Pete Beach, from 2012 to 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Jolly</span> American attorney & politician (born 1972)

David Wilson Jolly is an American attorney, former lobbyist, and formerly Republican politician who served as the U.S. representative for Florida's 13th congressional district from 2014 to 2017. Having served as general counsel to his predecessor, Republican Bill Young, Jolly won a January 2014 special election for Young's seat. He was reelected in November 2014 but was defeated in 2016 by Democrat Charlie Crist. After leaving office, Jolly became a prominent Republican critic of President Donald Trump. In September 2018, Jolly announced he had left the Republican Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gwen Graham</span> American lawyer & politician (born 1963)

Gwendolyn Graham is an American lawyer and politician who served as the U.S. representative for Florida's 2nd congressional district from 2015 to 2017. She is the daughter of Bob Graham, the former United States senator and governor of Florida. A Democrat, she was a candidate in the 2018 Democratic primary for Florida governor. Graham is currently assistant secretary of education for legislation and congressional affairs in the Biden administration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Florida gubernatorial election</span>

The 2018 Florida gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 2018, to elect the next governor of Florida, alongside an election to the United States Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives and other state and local elections. Incumbent two-term Republican governor Rick Scott was term-limited and could not run for a third term, and he successfully ran for Florida's Class I Senate seat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Florida Chief Financial Officer election</span>

The 2018 Florida Chief Financial Officer election took place on November 6, 2018. Incumbent Republican Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, who was appointed in 2017, successfully ran for a full term, defeating Democratic nominee Jeremy Ring, a former state senator, in the general election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Florida gubernatorial election</span>

The 2022 Florida gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of Florida, alongside other state and local elections. Incumbent Republican Party governor Ron DeSantis won re-election in a landslide and defeated the Democratic Party nominee, former U.S. representative Charlie Crist, who previously served as governor of Florida from 2007 to 2011 as a Republican and later as an Independent. No Democrat has been elected governor of Florida since 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2026 United States gubernatorial elections</span>

United States gubernatorial elections are scheduled to be held on November 3, 2026, in 36 states and three territories. The previous gubernatorial elections for this group of states took place in 2022, except in New Hampshire and Vermont, where governors serve two-year terms and will elect their governors in 2024. Many races have an incumbent who is term-limited.

References

  1. ↑ "Alex Sink". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  2. ↑ "Alex Sink". The Program for Leadership and Character. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  3. ↑ "After devastating loss, Alex Sink pauses her political journey". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  4. ↑ "Jolly defeats Sink in Florida 13th". Politico. March 11, 2014. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  5. ↑ Klas, Mary Ellen (October 15, 2010). "Alex Sink mastered banking, but political ease is a stretch for the bookish candidate". Tampa Bay Times . Archived from the original on December 24, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  6. ↑ Smith, Adam C. (September 24, 2010). "Alex Sink says grit and pride were legacy of famous ancestors, Siamese twins Chang and Eng". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on September 28, 2010. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
  7. ↑ Newman, Cathy (June 2006). "Zip USA, Mount Airy, NC 27030: Together Forever". National Geographic . Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved 2013-11-05.
  8. ↑ "Alex Sink is player in her own right". Ocala Star-Banner. Sep 22, 2002.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Alex Sink". The Program for Leadership and Character. Wake Forest University . Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  10. ↑ Snow, Stacey (2001-02-08). "Hall of Fame inductees honored". Tampa Bay Business Journal. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  11. ↑ "After devastating loss, Alex Sink pauses her political journey". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
  12. ↑ Larrabee, Brandon (2010-10-04). "Alex Sink's business past could be issue in Florida race". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  13. ↑ "Vote Smart | Facts For All". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  14. ↑ "CFO: Sink". The Ledger. 2006-10-26. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  15. ↑ "Vote Smart | Facts For All". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  16. ↑ Smith, Adam C. (2005-09-12). "Sink's CFO bid is a wish come true for Democrats". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  17. 1 2 Olson, Linda (2018-03-22). "Tampa Bay Wave Names Alex Sink as Board Chair Elect". Tampa Bay Wave. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  18. ↑ "2006 Election Results". Florida Department of State. March 1, 2007. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  19. ↑ "Former Charlottean Alex Sink may run for governor -- of Florida". Charlotte Observer. May 11, 2009.
  20. ↑ Florida, JOHN KENNEDY News Service of. "Payments halted on sumptuous court building". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  21. ↑ Florida, JOHN KENNEDY News Service of. "Payments halted on sumptuous court building". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  22. ↑ Florida, JOHN KENNEDY News Service of. "Payments halted on sumptuous court building". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  23. ↑ Times, Lucy Morgan St Petersburg. "Alex Sink Orders Audit of 'Taj Mahal' Courthouse Finances". The Ledger. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  24. ↑ "Florida Democrats revel in gained ground". Tampa Bay Times. August 25, 2008. Archived from the original on October 13, 2012. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  25. ↑ Cotterell, Bill (January 16, 2009). "Alex Sink won't run for U.S. Senate in 2010". Tallahassee Democrat.
  26. ↑ Hatfield, Pat. "DeLand's Urban Cowboy runs for governor: Can a Renaissance man with no money be governor?." Archived 2014-03-12 at the Wayback Machine West Volusia Beacon, July 7, 2009, p. 1A, 12A
  27. ↑ Catron, Derek. "DeLand Man Enters Race for Governor," Archived 2010-07-01 at the Wayback Machine Daytona Beach News-Journal, June 15, 2010.
  28. ↑ "Independent Bud Chiles Drops Out Of Florida Gubernatorial Race". RTT News. September 2, 2010. Archived from the original on March 12, 2014. Retrieved 2013-11-05.
  29. ↑ Deslatte, Aaron (October 26, 2010). "Alex Sink fires aide who text-messaged during debate". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on September 10, 2012. Retrieved 2013-11-05.
  30. ↑ Camia, Catalina (October 30, 2013). "Democrat Alex Sink to run for Young's House seat". USA Today. Retrieved 2013-11-05.
  31. ↑ Abby Livingston (November 6, 2013). "Democrat Suspends Campaign Against Alex Sink in Florida District". Roll Call. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved December 25, 2013.
  32. ↑ Blake, Aaron (2013-11-06). "Democratic field clears for Alex Sink in special election". The Washington Post .
  33. ↑ Adam C. Smith (October 30, 2013). "Alex Sink is running for C.W. Bill Young's congressional seat, will move to Pinellas". Tampa Bay Times.
  34. ↑ Rudie, Preston (2013-11-21). "Alex Sink decides to rent - not buy - in Pinellas County". WTSP. Archived from the original on 2013-12-25.
  35. ↑ "Florida's 13th Congressional District election, 2022". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  36. ↑ Newton-Small, Jay (March 11, 2014). "Republican Jolly Wins Special Election in Florida". Time . Archived from the original August 9, 2016.
  37. ↑ Alex Sink Waiting For Her GOP Opponent [ permanent dead link ] CBS 4 South Florida News, Aug 17, 2010. "Of the latest political issues she supports healthcare reform, is against near shore oil drilling, and would like to overhaul Florida's illegal immigration problems"
  38. ↑ Reinhard, Beth (November 16, 2009). "Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink backs adoption by gays, lesbians". The Palm Beach Post. Miami Herald. Retrieved 2013-11-05.
  39. ↑ "About Ruth's List Florida, Inc". Ruth's List Florida. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  40. ↑ "A Woman of Firsts: Ruth Bryan Owen - The Knoxville Focus" . Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  41. ↑ "Alex Sink turned a statewide election defeat into a new career: startup sage". Business Observer. April 20, 2018.
  42. ↑ "Alex Sink turned a statewide election defeat into a new career: startup sage". Business Observer. 2018-04-20. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  43. ↑ "Florida Next Foundation". Gust. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  44. ↑ Olson, Linda (2018-03-22). "Tampa Bay Wave Names Alex Sink as Board Chair Elect". Tampa Bay Wave. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  45. ↑ Rhineberger, Lauren (2023-01-26). "Welcome Wave's 2023 Board of Directors & Officers". Tampa Bay Wave. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  46. ↑ "Alex Sink Named 2020 Citizen of the Year, G.C. Murray II as 2020 Young Floridian of the Year". University of Florida Bob Graham Center for Public Service . 2 October 2020. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  47. ↑ "USGLC in Florida". USGLC. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  48. ↑ "Adelaide "Alex" Sink". Adelaide "Alex" Sink. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  49. ↑ "Chief Financial Officer Election Results". Florida division of elections. November 7, 2006. Archived from the original on 2011-07-18. Retrieved November 7, 2006.
  50. ↑ "Florida Gubernatorial Primary Results". Politico. August 24, 2010. Archived from the original on 23 August 2010. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
  51. ↑ "November 2, 2010 General Election". Florida Department of State. Archived from the original on 2011-10-03. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  52. ↑ "2014 Florida 13th District Special Election Results". Politico. Retrieved 12 March 2014.


Political offices
Preceded by Chief Financial Officer of Florida
2007–2011		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for Governor of Florida
2010 		Succeeded by
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.