Craig Miller, the former CEO of Ruths Chris who ran for the Republican nomination for a Central Florida congressional seat in 2010, is expected Tuesday 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. They 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.
Miller enters an already crowded race for the Republican nomination to take on Nelson. The primary field includes former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, state Senate President Mike Haridopolos, former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, and businessman and retired army officer Mike McCalister, who took more than 10 percent in the Republican gubernatorial primary in 2010. Other candidates in the race include businessman Ron Rushing, former congressional candidate Bill Fisher, businessman and former congressional candidate Ron McNeil and physician Mirand Sharma.
With Miller jumping into the race, two possible candidates for the Republican nomination remain on the sidelines. U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan has left the door open to running but has done little to lay the groundwork for the campaign. Nick Loeb, a businessman who ran for the Legislature in 2010, also remains a possible candidate.
Miller ran in the Republican primary last year to take on then-U.S. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas for her Central Florida congressional seat. Then-state Rep. Sandy Adams, who would eventually beat Kosmas in the general election, won the primary with 30 percent. Former Winter Park City Commissioner Karen Diebel, who has expressed interest in running for Congress in 2012, placed second with 29 percent and Miller came in third with 28 percent.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
