Corcoran may make governor run official

He could shake up GOP primary for DeSantis, Putnam

TALLAHASSEE — Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran has been sounding like a candidate for governor for months. This could be the week he makes it official, throwing an extra element into the current two-horse GOP primary.

Corcoran, R-Land O’Lakes, has been building up to a gubernatorial run since before his last legislative session, setting up a political committee and running ads highlighting his attempts to crack down on sanctuary cities and illegal immigration.

It’s the kind of ultra-conservative position he’ll need to distinguish himself in a primary against Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, both of whom boast greater campaign resources.

Putnam has more than $21 million in the bank, and DeSantis has more than $6 million in both his political committee and campaign accounts.

Corcoran, meanwhile, has raised $6.9 million but spent $4.6 million in one year — and yet he only garnered 7 percent support in a January Mason-Dixon poll.

Putnam had 27 percent to DeSantis’ 23 percent in the poll, but 43 percent were still undecided.

Corcoran, a 53-year-old attorney known for his aggressive style and mastery of the legislative process, on Thursday teased a “big announcement” this week.

But Corcoran could have waited too late to have a shot in a race that’s already well under way, a GOP consultant said.

“He needs to stop this Hamlet business and make a decision,” the consultant, Mac Stipanovich, told the Tampa Bay Times. “Richard has a steeper hill to climb, and the sooner he begins to