TALLAHASSEE -- The search for a new chancellor got a front-runner Thursday when former education commissioner and lieutenant governor Frank Brogan applied to lead Florida's state university system.

The longtime Florida Atlantic University president was one of three new applicants to emerge for the position. Finalists will be interviewed next week.

In a letter to FAU faculty and staff members and students, Brogan confirmed his plans to seek the politically charged post -- ending weeks of speculation about his interest in the job.

''Only after much reflection and discussion with my family did I decide to pursue the opportunity,'' wrote Brogan, 55 and married with a young son. ``It is another way for me to continue my dedication to education should I be selected to serve.''

Brogan is one of 13 candidates. There are a few notables, including former Ohio university system chancellor Roderick G.W. Chu. Also in the mix is Florida State University associate professor and former law school administrator Steve MacNamara, a Capitol veteran who was chief of staff to former House Speaker John Thrasher.

Some university system officials say Brogan, a Republican known for his affability and sense of humor, might offer the strongest mix of political savvy and academic experience to a university system seeking better relations with the Legislature. The entities have butted heads over issues including governance, tuition and state funding.

Brogan worked as a teacher, principal and superintendent in Martin County schools before he was elected Florida education commissioner in 1994. He ran on the gubernatorial ticket with Jeb Bush in 1998 and served as lieutenant governor until 2003, when he got the FAU job.

''Based on what [candidates] we have so far, I would have to say Frank is certainly in the top tier,'' said Sheila McDevitt, chairwoman of the Board of Governors, which oversees the 11 state universities.

Brogan earned his bachelor's degree in education from the University of Cincinnati in 1976 and his master's from FAU in 1981. He is the only candidate without a doctoral degree. It's not a requirement, though some Board of Governors members have said it is preferred.

''He's run a major research university for six years, so regardless of whether he has that degree or not, he certainly has made up for it in his experience,'' McDevitt said. ``One of the things we're going to have to work on moving forward is a better connection between K-12 and the universities, and he has experience in both.''

FAU's trustees have generally praised Brogan. They voted last September to raise his salary by 10 percent and extend his contract through 2015. But an anonymous survey of less than 10 percent of FAU's full-time faculty members gave Brogan mediocre reviews.

He is among the state university system's better-paid presidents, with a $399,840 package. Taxpayer dollars cover $225,000 of the salary; the rest comes from FAU's private foundation.

The Board of Governors committee leading the chancellor search will review the 13 applicants Monday and narrow the field. The finalists will be interviewed on July 17 in Tampa and a final decision is expected to be made the same day.

Shannon Colavecchio can be reached at scolavecchio@sptimes.com.

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