That was the description rendered by the Florida Capitol Press Corps to the 1976 legislative appointments announced by then Speaker of the House of Representatives Donald Tucker (D., Wakulla). During his first term, Tucker rewarded his loyal supporters with the choice committee assignments, largely excluding the urban areas of the state. For the major assignments, he selected his long time friend Rep. Ed Fortune (D., Pace) to chair Appropriations, Rep. Gus Craig (D., St. Augustine) to chair Rules, Rep. Billy Joe Rish (D., Port St. Joe) to chair Judiciary, Rep. John Culbreath (D., Brooksville) to chair Regulated Industries, and Rep. Fred Jones (D., Auburndale) to chair Transportation. After getting re-elected Speaker, Tucker proceeded to re-appoint almost all of the carry over, primarily rural, legislators to the key committee chairs, leaving the urban areas largely passed over for a total of 4 years. Many described these appointments as evidence of the Pork Chop Gang holding on to the very end of their political power in Tallahassee. It all changed in 1978.
