Call them ‘senator’ for life, etiquette advises

What do you call state senators who take lower-ranking county commissioner jobs?

The answer: “Senator,” if you want to please them.

Folks addressing new Broward County commissioners Steve Geller and Nan Rich are experiencing a little confusion, fumbling over how to address the former state senators.

Both said they don’t consider their newest title a demotion. But they said they earned the senator title, and it sticks for life.

“It’s not something we’ve made up. There is a book,” (Senator) Geller said. “I always refer to Nan as Senator Rich.”

Across the street in the county parking garage, both have cars with vanity license plates giving a little guidance on how they’d like to be labeled. Geller’s tag says “S3NATOR.” Rich’s tag says “SSENNHR,” for state Sen. Nan H. Rich.

“In general, you are entitled to refer to somebody by the highest title they’ve had,” Geller said, citing title etiquette experts and the book “Practical Protocol for Floridians,” published by the Office of the Clerk of the state House of Representatives.

The protocol manual directs that a senator carries the title for life. It also says that state representatives don’t get the same respect.

That means no one should call County Commissioner Tim Ryan “representative” anymore. He served in the state House before winning county office. But he can be referred to as “the honorable” Tim Ryan, if you’re talking about him in a positive fashion or sending him a card, the manual advises.

Ryan said his colleagues are correct, but he thinks “the title of senator is trumped by the current political office.” In other words, while serving as a commissioner, you’re a commissioner.

Geller says he doesn’t demand to be called “senator.” But if someone inquires, he educates them on the matter.

“I am happy to be called commissioner,” Geller said. “I am happy to be called senator. I also respond to ‘Hey, you.’ ”

Rich says she answers to either honorific.

“I’m extremely proud I was a senator,” Rich said, “and the first female Democratic leader, so that’s my title for life. But I also don’t want people to think that I’m not proud of being a commissioner.”

Rich said many people call her senator.

“And some call me commissioner. And if someone wants to call me commissioner,” she said, “that’s fine with me.”