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Article published Nov 19, 2004
Wilkins sticking to state politics
Associated Press
COLUMBIA -- President Bush's re-election
on Nov. 2 doesn't mean House Speaker David Wilkins is packing his gavel and
heading elsewhere.Wilkins was chairman of Bush's 2004 and 2000 campaigns and was
a top fund-raiser for the president.After the 2000 election, Wilkins turned down
Bush job offers, including an ambassadorship. That prompted speculation that
Wilkins won't say no to another job offer if it comes.But Wilkins told his staff
Thursday that he's not about to leave."I told them I was looking forward to
being re-elected speaker of the House and I was planning on being with them,"
Wilkins said. That election will be held on Nov. 30 during the House's
organizational session."I don't want to imply I've turned down anything because
I haven't been offered anything, but I have no plans to leave," Wilkins said.One
House office will need to be filled. Sandra McKinney, clerk of the House since
1988, is retiring. Charles Reid, the House's chief counsel and a close friend of
Wilkins, is the only person to say he's running for the job, Wilkins said.Reid
has the backing of most members, and "it's pretty widely acknowledged that he
will be the next clerk," Wilkins said.Earlier this year, Wilkins was considering
merging the jobs of legal counsel and clerk, but those will remain separate.