Connie Mack Draws Fire from Dems and Adam Hasner

With U.S. Rep. Connie Mack entering the crowded Republican primary field looking to challenge Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012, his opponents from both parties are opening fire.

The already packed race for U.S. Senate in Florida became more crowded with the entrance of Congressman Connie Mack IV who officially threw his family name into the ring, said Scott Arceneaux, the executive director of the Florida Democratic Party in a statement on Tuesday. "Mack is well-versed in throwing his name around, relying more on his familys history than his lackluster record in Tallahassee and Washington or his vast professional experience planning parties for Hooters.

Mack and the GOP field continue their race to the right, appealing to the partys far-right fringe and distancing themselves from the very independent-minded voters of Florida that decide elections, added Arceneaux. The bottom line: Mack brings more of the same tea party ideology weve seen from a field of contenders who have failed to gain traction against the independent leadership of U.S. Senator Bill Nelson. As Nelson remains strong and focused on the general election, Mack will no doubt take heat from all sides in what is sure to be a bruising primary.

Mack also drew fire from the camp of one of his chief Republican primary rivals -- former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner.

"With all due respect to Congressman Mack, his statement today perfectly illustrates the major disconnect between Washington politicians in both parties and the people they are supposed to be representing, said Doug Mayer, a spokesman for Hasner, in a statement on Tuesday. "Voters aren't looking for another career politician who follows polls and is running for higher office just because he can win, or because it is easy. They are looking for the candidates who can be trusted to do the hard things, take the tough votes, and stand up to the Washington insiders who are bankrupting our country. In this race, only Adam Hasner has proven that he will consistently support limited-government principles and fight against Democrats and the Republicans who act like them."