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State Rep. Willie Logan, D-Opa-locka, who declared himself a "free agent" following his ouster as House speaker-designate in January 1998, is hoping to parlay that free agency into a new era in American politics.

Logan will be ousted from the House entirely in 2000, but this time it will not be by white members of the Democratic caucus; instead, his term will expire per a 1992 constitutional amendment limiting Florida lawmakers to eight years in the same position.

He now has his sights set on the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican Connie Mack. And he plans to do so independently, without the blessing—but to the chagrin—of the Democratic Party.

"I’m still a registered Democrat," he said last week, a few days after announcing his exploratory committee to determine the feasibility of his running. "But I am running independent of the party. Now I’m not an Independent," he said, referring to membership in the Independent Party. "I would not be running as an Independent, just independently of any party.

Logan says he will not make a decision as to how he would run on the ballot. "I could simply run with No Party Affiliation," he said.

But why run and what would his running do to the traditional politics, especially to the Democrats in the state?

"Now that I look back on it, I think being ousted was the best thing that could have happened to me," he said. Maybe it was meant to be for this reason."

Logan sees his candidacy as ushering in a new era in the political arena. "It’s time for a change," he said. People are not satisfied with the two-party system. Without being attached to any party, I can work with a11 sides to get a lot done."

With government politics so bitterly partisan, I wondered how effective Logan could be as an independent in the Senate, and his eyes sparkled as he explained how that would be his greatest strength.

Every indication is that the count in the Senate will be 50-49 or 51-48," he said, "which would make my single vote in many cases the swing or tie vote. That would make my vote and the vice president’s votes very powerful. I could negotiate from a position of power."

As for Democrats in the state, most recognize that Logan could cost the party the election, even if he did not win. Bill Nelson is the Democrats’ choice and he probably will face either U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum of Bill Clinton impeachment infamy or Education Commissioner Tom Gallagher.

Logan doesn’t see either Republican candidate as very attractive and believes his record of crossing the political line as a free agent could be just what voters are looking for. He believes he can get enough votes from Republicans, Democrats, minorities, and other groups to win the seat.

Some black democrats believe Logan is either deluding himself or being misled. U.S. Rep. Carrie Meek, D-Miami, says she wishes Logan would run as a democrat. Others see him running as a deliberate effort to sabotage the Democratic Party as an act of vengeance.

The down side to Logan’s effort is that he may be viewed not as a Democrat, but as a liberal.

He strongly supports affirmative action, is pro choice, strongly opposes the anti-affirmative action measure called the Florida Civil Rights Initiative.

But he also supported Republican Jeb Bush over Lt. Gov. Buddy Mackay for governor. Putting aside the Democratic and Republican assessments of Logan’s run, he, indeed, may have the right answer for American politics.

As if voter apathy were not enough, the disgusting partisan impeachment debacle simply turned a lot of people off to politics. Logan could be the first to step forward with a refreshing option. As a free agent he is obliged to no party line and would be free to vote his conscience. What we elect would be what we get.

That’s what American needs: politicians who are accountable only to the people who elect them, not to a party first and the people second.

If Logan wins or even makes a credible showing, look for others to try the same route and become more successful over time. That would be the best medicine for our sick system.