GOP Senate Hopeful Craig Miller Staffs Up in Jacksonville and Tampa

Restaurant executive Craig Miller, now running in a crowded Republican primary field to challenge Democrat incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012, unveiled two additions to his campaign team as he looks to turn around low poll numbers.

On Thursday, Miller announced that veteran Republican operative and political strategist Kevin Doyle would join his team based out of Jacksonville and that political consultant Brock Mikosky would work on the campaign out of Tampa.

Kevin and Brock bring with them years of knowledge and respect within Florida politics. There is not much that they havent seen and Im grateful to have them on board, said Miller in a statement released on Thursday.

Doyle, the president of Wexford Strategies, was the state director for U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez. During Martinezs Senate bid back in 2004, Doyle led his efforts as North Florida regional director. He also served as a staffer in Tallahassee and in the federal government in George W. Bushs administration. A former researcher for the Republican National Commitee, Doyle worked as administrative director for the U.S. Congressional Joint Economic Committee under Florida Republican U.S. Sen. Connie Mack whose son is in the race as one of Millers primary opponents.

Mikosky is the president of Momentum Strategy Group out of Tampa and has worked with several candidates in the Tampa Bay area. He also served as the director of regional advocacy in the Tampa Bay area for the Associated Industries of Florida and as a regional manager for North Florida for the Florida Chamber of Commerce.