Roll Call Ranks 2012 Senate Race in Florida as 'Tossup'

The staff at Roll Call put together an impressive article on the U.S. Senate races in 2012, looking at the various elections.

They rank Florida as a tossup. Heres their take on U.S. Sen. Bill Nelsons situation as he seeks a third term:

Florida
Sen. Bill Nelson (D)

Nelson, first elected in 2000, intends to seek a third term. His campaign team sounds confident he will win over the states voters despite Republican gains in 2010 statewide, and he has $2.9 million in the bank. Nelson easily deflected former Rep. Katherine Harris in 2006.

Florida, always a critical battleground in a presidential year, will hold even more importance for White House contenders in 2012, so expect money and attention to flow to the Sunshine State sooner rather than later.

Florida Republicans say they have an abundance of potential candidates to challenge Nelson, though no one has stepped forward with an official announcement.

Republicans here are really eager to take out the last remaining statewide Democrat, said Republican Party of Florida spokesman Dan Conston.

Republican Sen. George LeMieux, appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist to fill the remainder of Sen. Mel Martinezs term when the Republican resigned from the Senate, would be a strong favorite should he decide to run. LeMieux has been open about his interest in challenging Nelson, telling reporters he will decide over the holidays, but his office did not respond to calls seeking comment.

After LeMieux, Republicans like the incoming state Senate president, Mike Haridopolos. A GOP source said he is considered among the partys up-and-comers.

Republican Reps. Connie Mack IV, Vern Buchanan and Tom Rooney also are on the bench. Buchanan and Rooney could be self-funders should they run, making them more appealing to the state party.

State House Majority Leader Adam Hasner is term-limited from that position and is another possible contender, and a perennial dark horse is former Gov. Jeb Bush.