(9/1/09) FT. LAUDERDALE, Fl – Governor Charlie Crist named his former chief of staff George LeMieux, from Broward County, on Friday to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Senator Mel Martinez’s sudden resignation.

Governor Crist himself is running for the U.S. Senate seat, which is up for election in 2010, and is considered the Republican front-runner. Although Sen. Martinez had earlier announced that he would not seek reelection, opening up the seat for the 2010 race, in August Martinez issued his resignation, effective upon the selection of a replacement to complete his term. Crist and former State House Speaker Marco Rubio are the top Republicans battling for the seat, with Democratic Congressman Kendrick Meek is leading the democratic candidates.

Crist, having to do double-duty as governor, having to fill the vacant seat, and as candidate, having to ensure his interest in the election is preserved, had a number of viable candidates. Among them were three former congressmen bringing actual experience, and candidates who could appeal to black voters, women and the Latino community. Each candidate would have to accept one reality, however – to not run to keep the seat in 2010.

Among Crist’s choices were former U.S. Attorney Roberto Martinez, former Florida Secretary of State Jim Smith, former U.S. Reps. Lou Frey and Mike Bilirakis, University of North Florida President John Delaney, State House Representative Jennifer Carroll, former State Senator Dan Webster, and current congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart, who removed himself from the list.

LeMieux, a top aide of Crist’s, and his former Chief of Staff, and noticeably more conservative than Crist, is not expected to challenge Crist for the seat next year. Of all of the candidates, LeMieux is widely seen as being truly loyal to Crist, and not expected to do anything that may surprise the Governor-candidate. He also served as Crist’s deputy attorney general when Crist was the Florida Attorney General, and later rose to the Governor’s office when Crist was elected in 2006. LeMieux left his position to become a shareholder in the law firm of Gunster Yoakley & Stewart in 2007. Crediting him for his successful election as governor, Crist nicknamed LeMieux his “maestro.”

LeMieux also served as chairman of the Broward Republican Party from 2000 to 2002, and is well known to Broward Republicans. The Miami Herald op-ed page wondered whether LeMieux will strive in the Senate to tackle issues critical to Floridians as a Floridian or as a Republican, or whether he’ll take his orders from the Governor.

LeMieux also worked on a number of high-profile deals, including negotiating the recent (and original) agreement between the State and the Seminole Indian Tribe of Florida regarding paramutual casinos and gambling, the original of which was thrown out by the Florida Supreme Court. His law firm also represents U.S. Sugar in the Everglades restoration deal being worked with the State at a time when the federal loan program to the sugar industry is being challenged in Congress. He also represents the Florida Department of Transportation in talks with the Florida East Coast Railroad. LeMieux may face a number of potential conflicts of interest, and whether he follows his own perspectives, the party’s positions, the Governor’s instructions, or the desires of the people of the State of Florida remains to be seen.

The future Senator LeMieux also published The LeMieux Report, an electronic newsletter, which often touts the governor’s accomplishments.

Despite stating at the outset that the appointment would be done with integrity, Crist has come under fire for the appointment by Republicans and Democrats, as well as news outlets. To the Miami Herald, rival Marco Rubio felt that the appointment was disappointing, as there were many other qualified candidates. Democrat Kendrick Meek said that Crist has to look beyond his inner circle, and that this decision should be based on a track record of public service and familiarity with Floridians rather than an insider. Republican Representative Cliff Stearns told the Miami Herald that he was concerned that Crist had appointed a “placeholder” for himself.

LeMieux will travel to Washington D.C. to be sworn-in prior to September 8, in time to oppose the Obama healthcare bill currently pending in Congress.