Craig Miller to Enter U.S. Senate Race on Tuesday

On Tuesday, Craig Miller, the former CEO of Ruths Chris who ran for the Republican nomination for a Central Florida congressional seat in 2010, is expected to announce that he is entering an already crowded primary to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012.

Miller, a Vietnam veteran, has expressed interest in entering the race since early May. Besides touring the state since first leaving the door open, Miller has met with Republican leaders in Washington who have made Nelson --who is seeking a third term --one of their top targets in the 2012 election cycle.

The new candidate will be circling round the Sunshine State on Tuesday to kick off his campaign. He will start the day in his Central Florida home base, speaking in Orlando before heading down Interstate 4 for an event in Tampa. Miller will then go to Naples in the afternoon before heading over to West Palm Beach and then flying up to Jacksonville to close the day.