Askew selected Florida Secretary of State Thomas Burton Adams Jr., while Kirk chose to run with incumbent Ray C. Osborne.

[2] Kirk appointed Ray C. Osborne, a Florida House of Representatives member from Pinellas County.

The Miami Herald endorsed Eckerd, stating that he is "an efficient campaigner with the ability to bring people together constructively.

William C. Cramer, a powerful Republican in the state and the party's senate nominee for that year, publicly remained neutral during the primary, but voted for Eckerd.

"[6] In the primary election held on September 8, Kirk reached first place with 48.16% of the vote, compared to 38.37% for Eckerd, and 13.48% for Bafalis.

[10] Askew selected Florida Secretary of State Thomas Burton Adams Jr. to be his running mate.

Kirk mocked Askew as a "momma’s boy who wouldn’t have the courage to stand up under the fire of the legislators" and as a "nice, sweet-looking fellow chosen by ‘liberals’ ... to front for them.