Ironically, Delaney, a conservative Republican, has made a name for himself in part by espousing pro-environmental programs. Penelas, meanwhile, is a Cuban-American Democrat with widespread support among an overwhelmingly Republican population. A lawyer and former state prosecutor, Delaney hadn't planned on a political career. Penelas is a career politician.
Differences aside, Delaney, 43, and Penelas, 37, share billing as two of the freshest faces in Florida politics -- potential heavyweights that political stargazers believe will meet in a showdown sometime early in the new century. "Looking seven years out, it's fairly safe to say that Alex Penelas and John Delaney will go head-to-head for some high-profile office in Florida," predicts Tom Slade, former chairman of the state Republic Party who's now president of Tidewater Consulting Inc., a Tallahassee-based political consulting firm. Likely venues: A race to replace Gov. Jeb Bush after a presumed second term, or a retiring U.S. Senator Bob Graham, or to fill a statewide Cabinet seat.
One measure of the regard that Penelas and Delaney have generated is how quickly their names were floated as potential candidates last summer when Connie Mack announced he wouldn't seek another term in the U.S. Senate. Both decided the timing wasn't right, but both had ample encouragement. Delaney said that backers had told him, "don't worry about money. The $3- to $4-million to get into the primary was there."
While Penelas and Delaney await the right opportunity, look for both to continue burnishing their political profiles. Penelas, who has a law degree and was first elected to the Miami-Dade County Commission in 1990 at the age of 28, is just entering the fourth year of his first term as mayor. In all likelihood, he says, he will run for reelection when his term expires in October 2000.
As Miami-Dade County's first "strong" mayor, Penelas has a heavy load: Government corruption, an eroding job base, traffic snarls and nearly a third of the state's welfare recipients. So far, however, Penelas has impressed Miami business leaders with his performance, especially his early economic development initiatives. He also has gotten good marks for leadership in the county's efforts to manage welfare reform: Miami-Dade's rolls have been halved, from 46,000 to about 23,000. In addition, the crime rate is at a 20-year low. In September, unemployment stood at 5.8%, higher than the state average, but well below what some had predicted, Penelas says.
The young mayor's biggest political setback came last summer when voters overwhelming turned down a Penelas-backed one-penny sales tax increase to pay for road improvements. Voters were skeptical about giving more tax dollars to a county plagued with a history of corruption.
Big fish, small ponds
If Penelas wants to succeed politically beyond his home turf, say political observers, he'll probably have to dodge a charge that he's "too liberal" for Florida and show voters elsewhere that he's been able to make real headway in a county many Floridians view as foreign territory. "I don't see him coming up north any time soon," says Lance deHaven-Smith, a professor of political science at Florida State University. "He has to sell himself in (neighboring) Broward County first."
Delaney, like Penelas, also has enjoyed widespread support among both voters and business leaders in Jacksonville since he was first elected mayor in 1995. He was reelected without opposition in June.
Despite the pro-business, anti-big government propensities of his party, Delaney hasn't been shy about breaking from the Republican fold when it comes to environmental issues. Dubbed "Mayor Greenjeans," Delaney has pushed aggressively for protecting the St. Johns River, which slices through Jacksonville. He also unveiled a $300-million Preservation Project aimed at acquiring developable land for parks and green space. So far, the city has bought or is negotiating to buy 10 square miles of land.
A self-described policy wonk, Delaney got some statewide exposure through his chairmanship of the Foundation for Florida's Future, the Jeb Bush-created think tank that has since merged with the James Madison Institute in Tallahassee. More recently, Bush appointed Delaney to chair a Florida Forever advisory council charged with rewriting the rules governing how the state acquires land under the Florida Forever program.
The issues for Delaney in a possible statewide election will be increasing his name recognition, and how well he continues to manage Jacksonville's breathtaking growth. Like Miami, the city is no stranger to traffic snarls, and growth hasn't been uniform. The city's north side has languished, and many new jobs have been lower-wage, call-center type employment. Another factor: Since being elected mayor, Delaney has developed a fear of flying, a factor he'll probably have to overcome if he's to campaign effectively statewide.
Both Penelas and Delaney keep abreast of what the other is up to, and each acknowledges respect for the other. Delaney describes Penelas as a quick political study and admires his energy, comparing him to a "Democratic Jeb Bush." Penelas describes Delaney as a "good man" who is "down-to-earth" and "sincere."
Both remain coy about the future. "I love government," says Delaney. "It's whatever doors God opens for you at the right time." Says Penelas: "Politics is my career. I would not preclude statewide office."
Gentlemen, see you in the voting booth.
The Contenders
While John Delaney and Alex Penelas have the highest profiles of Florida's rising political stars, there are others who have the ambition and the attention of party officials, leading politicians and financial backers.
Frank Brogan Handsome and personable, the Republican lieutenant governor got plenty of encouragement to run for the U.S. Senate seat that Connie Mack will vacate next year. Brogan decided against it after his wife, Mary, 44, died of cancer in late June. Smart money says the 46-year-old former teacher and principal will take another look at higher office in the coming years. Brogan, who served as commissioner of education before Jeb Bush selected him as his running mate, can use his post to raise his visibility throughout the state.
Buddy Dyer The Democratic leader in the state Senate has shown the kind of leadership skills in Tallahassee that could translate into a statewide profile, say party leaders. An Orlando attorney, Dyer is well-liked and is seen as someone who can get the support both of conservative and liberal Democrats. "He can mix and mingle in Panama City as well Miami," says Charles Whitehead, chairman of the Florida Democratic Party.
Joe Scarborough Among Florida's Republican congressional delegation, Scarborough, of Pensacola, has caught the attention of some of the state's big financial supporters. "He's young, erudite and has gotten exposure on national TV," says Al Hoffman, a Naples real estate developer and key Republican fundraiser.
Bill McBride Not all eyes are on elected officials. Democratic leaders say McBride, managing partner of Holland & Knight, Florida's largest law firm, could easily launch a bid for statewide office. A former U.S. Marine who served in Vietnam, McBride has developed strong ties to the Democratic Party through years of campaign work in the state. McBride is married to Alex Sink, president of NationsBank, Florida's biggest bank, who is also sometimes mentioned as a potential candidate for political office.
Daryl L. Jones President Clinton tapped Jones, a Miami attorney, to be Secretary of the Air Force, but the nomination was shot down by Senate Republicans. Regardless, Florida Democrats have high hopes for Jones, a state senator who's also president of the Legislative Black Caucus.
Mel Martinez Chairman of the Orange County Commission, Martinez is being touted by top Republicans as an up-and-comer in central Florida; he's seen as having eclipsed popular Orlando Mayor Glenda Hood, who has turned down a number of appeals to run for higher office, including one to become Jeb Bush's running mate.
Dee Dee Ritchie Ritchie, a Democrat, is making a name as a state representative from Pensacola. The former Teacher of the Year holds the House seat formerly occupied by her ex-husband, Buzz Ritchie.
Allan G. Bense A Republican from Panama City, Bense is in line to become speaker of the House after Tom Feeney.
Karen T. Marcus A Republican Palm Beach County commissioner since 1984 and a past recipient of the Nature Conservancy's Public Service Award, Marcus has caught the attention of politicos outside her district.
Scott Maddox The young mayor of Tallahassee, a Democrat, is counting on the contacts he has made with state leaders to help fulfill bigger political ambitions.
Doug Wiles Wiles, a Democrat, owns a St. Augustine insurance agency. State Democratic Party leaders have selected him to pitch the party to business interests.