Mike Haridopolos Ends Bid for U.S. Senate

State Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, announced Monday morning that he is withdrawing from the 2012 U.S. Senate race. Haridopolos was part of a crowded Republican primary looking to take on Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012.

The Senate president pointed to the difficulties of managing the state Senate while seeking the U.S. Senate seat at the same time.

In the early going, I was encouraged with endorsements from state and national leaders, support from colleagues in the Senate and House, and donations big and small, Haridopolos noted. Yet, it became increasingly clear to me, and those around me, that the responsibilities I was managing on both fronts are in conflict.

I truly believed I could handle both jobs, but I was wrong. Now I am determined to make it right. Today I am announcing that I will no longer be a candidate for the United States Senate, nor will I seek any other office this year or next. Instead, I am rededicating myself to finishing the job you sent me to do here in Florida.

While the Senate president had a strong first quarter for fundraising, bringing in $2.6 million, his momentum has slowed considerably. He brought in $900,000 during the second quarter, which his campaign team blamed on the Legislature being in session. Haridopolos also saw two key staffers -- spokesman Tim Baker and campaign adviser Pat Bainter -- leave his campaign team in recent days.

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