Conservative writer and activist Marielena Montesino de Stuart entered the increasingly crowded Republican primary Mondayto take on Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012.

Born in Cuba,her family fled from Fidel Castros communist regime in the late 1960s after standing against that tyrannical government. Stuart, whose writings have regularly appearedonconservative website RenewAmerica, currently lives in Ave Maria.

I consider myself to be the conservative candidate in this race, Stuart told Sunshine State News on Monday.

Florida Republicans reacted to thenewly named members of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction this week while that body prepares to take on the task of cutting $1.2 trillion from the federal government over the next decade.

The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction was set up as part of the deal to break up the stalemate in Washington over raising the federal debt ceiling. The new committee consists of six members of each party, divided equally between senators and congressmen.

With the Iowa Republicans hosting a straw poll in Ames on Saturday as a prelude to the first presidential caucus in February, some Republican hopefuls have a lot riding on the event.

As the contenders for the Republican presidential nomination ready for a debate in Iowa Thursday night and a straw poll in Ames on Saturday, two new national polls show former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts ahead of the pack. But the polls differ on how large a lead he has.

Romney will take part in the debate on Thursday night, but focus is increasingly turning to three possible candidates who have yet to enter the race. Buzz is increasingly growing that Gov. Rick Perry of Texas will enter the race in coming days.