Broward’s top Republican official to switch parties (Florida) [View All]

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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-902cmarkham,0,5552570.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines

Posted September 2 2003

Broward County Property Appraiser William "Bill" Markham, who was elected in 1968 at the high-water mark of Republican power in Broward and today is the lone GOP countywide officeholder, intends to become a Democrat this week, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel has learned.

Markham's conversion is a major coup for the Democratic Party, which has had little good news since 2000 when the presidential recount in Florida gave the election to George W. Bush. Although the state Republican Party does not keep statistics, a GOP spokesman in Tallahassee said Markham may be the longest-serving Republican in Florida. He has held the same office for more than 34 years.

"He'll be a wonderful addition to our party," said Mitch Ceasar, the Broward County Democratic leader.

Markham declined to be interviewed for this article. The Sun-Sentinel learned of his intentions in conversations with Markham's political consultants, leading Democrats and Republicans and fund-raisers he has consulted about his future.

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