While most voters continue to remain focused on the presidential race, two of the Republicans looking to challenge Democrat incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012 are taking different paths to gain some attention this week.
Former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux took to the national airwaves this week with an appearance on Sean Hannitys show on Fox News on Monday night and on MSNBCs Morning Joe -- hosted by former U.S. Rep. Joe Scarborough, the Republican who represented the Panhandle -- on Tuesday morning. Republican U.S. Rep. Connie Mack announced last month on Hannitys show that he would be running for the Senate seat that his father held for 12 years.
While LeMieux worked the airwaves, restaurant executive Craig Miller unveiled the latest of his Miller on Main Street workday events on Tuesday. Taking a page from Bob Graham, Miller has been staging workday events across Florida and his team announced on Tuesday the next one would be on Wednesday. Miller, who was the CEO of Uno Restaurants and Ruth's Chris andheaded up the National Restaurant Association, will work at Sergios Cuban Restaurant in Miami.
Miller explained why he was doing the workdays in an email sent out to supporters on Tuesday.
For the last three months, I have been leading the Miller on Main Street program as part of my campaign. The idea is very simple -- I will commit to working one day at a Florida business twice a month.This allows me to remember my roots in the restaurant dish room, and to talk to Floridians about the issues they care about, Miller wrote. I decided to start this program because I believe that too many of our representatives have forgotten about the people living on Main Street. These are the people that they are representing in Congress, yet they havent held a real job in years.
I say it again and again, I want to represent the people of Florida, not the special interests, and not a political party -- that is who I need to talk to, added Miller. That is the goal of the Miller on Main Street program."
Miller took a shot at his rivals in the race, though he avoided mentioning any of them by name.
"The idea is simple and important.However, this is time that my opponents spend cozying up to special interests and asking them for campaign money. I believe that the Miller on Main Street program is more important than any fundraising dinner -- but I need your help to keep our campaign on solid financial ground.
Miller and LeMieux are trailing Mack in the polls. Other Republican candidates include former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner and businessman and retired Army Col. Mike McCalister.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
