There may still be several Republicans who are not on Florida Gov. Charlie Crist's list for a possible caretaker replacement to succeed resigning Sen. Mel Martinez, but that list is slowly dwindling.

According to St. Petersburg Times' Adam Smith, the list of Sunshine State Republicans who are being considered has reached ten.

Martinez announced in December that he wouldn't seek a second term. But he threw a monkey wrench into the plans of Crist — who wants to be senator — by subsequently announcing he wants to resign, and soon. That means Crist has to name a successor who will fill the remainder of Martinez's term (Jan. 3, 2011).

Complicating the governor's task is that he is does not have a free ride to the GOP Senate nomination; former state House speaker Marco Rubio is also running, and he's far more conservative than Crist. And while Crist is the clear favorite for the nod — he has far more money and endorsements and a better organization than Rubio — he knows he will be judged on whom he names to fill the Senate seat.

 

Crist has indicated that he may announce his choice by the end of this week or the following week. Here's the list of the ten Republicans being considered, according to Crist's office, as per St. Pete Times' Smith:

Former Rep. Mike Bilirakis — Served in the House for 24 years, retired in 2006 and was succeeded by his son Gus.

Rep. Bill Young — First elected in 1970, he is the House's longest serving Republican.

Former Rep. Clay Shaw — Defeated in his bid for a 14th term in 2006 by Ron Klein (D).

Former Rep. Lou Frey — Has been out of the House since 1978, when he unsuccessfully ran for governor.

Former Attorney General/Secretary of State Jim Smith — Lost the 1994 gov primary to Jeb Bush.

Also: state Rep. Jennifer Carroll, former U.S. Attorney Roberto Martinez, ex-Jacksonville Mayor John Delaney, former Crist staffer George LeMieux, and former state Sen. Dan Webster (who was briefly a Senate candidate in 2004). Politico's Charles Mahtesian writes that Webster has "solid Christian conservative credentials," which "would go some distance toward mollifying conservatives who aren't thrilled with Crist."

Tags: Washington Senators