Haridopolos Says Focus is on Legislature, Not Senate Campaign -- Yet

Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, told reporters Wednesday that he's concentrating on the upcoming legislative session first, and his 2012 campaign for the U.S. Senate second.

"We are absolutely focused on doing my job of Senate president first. (The 2012 election) is a long way away," Haridopolos said.

Haridopolos announced his entrance in the race last week and said he wanted to get his message out early that he was in the race, but hasn't decided whether to raise funds for his campaign during the 2011 legislative session. State laws prevent state legislators from actively fund-raising for campaigns during the legislative session, but Haridopolos is exempt from them since he is running for a federal office.

Haridopolos is one of the early entrants in what is likely to be a crowded field running for the Republican Senate nomination. If he makes it through, he will face Democratic incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson, who announced Wednesday that he was running for another term.

"Coming out of the 2010 election you'd think that anybody who's a Democrat is a target," Nelson said, adding that an improving economy ahead of the 2012 election should improve his chances as well as the Democratic brand.