CQ Today's Midday Update (free email service) reports that the gubernatorial race to succeed Jeb Bush in Florida is becoming one to watch in 2006.

The Orlando SENTINEL reports that "at least three Florida Democrats appear ready to run for governor next year, but few other clear signals emerged from a closed-door gathering of party leaders" on Monday at the home of Rep. Allen Boyd, D-Fla. About a dozen Democrats met "to explore ways to avoid free-swinging primary contests in the 2006 elections." However, the paper said, "Strong indications are that U.S. Rep. Jim Davis of Tampa, state Sen. Rod Smith of Alachua and Lawton 'Bud' Chiles III of Orlando, son of the late, two-term Democratic governor, are planning to run, according to those who attended. Betty Castor, who lost the U.S. Senate race to Republican Mel Martinez last November, joined the meeting by conference call and told participants she 'remains very interested' in the governor's race, participants said."

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