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.
In his withdrawal announcement, Haridopolos pointed to the challenges of running the Florida Senate while seeking the Republican nomination to take on Nelson.
I declared I would be a candidate for the United States Senate while continuing to serve as Senate president, noted Haridopolos. 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. 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, continued Haridopolos who added that he would not run for any other office in 2012. 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."
Reaction quickly came in after Haridopolos made his announcement on Monday morning.
I was surprised by Mike Haridopolos announcement today, said Gov. Rick Scott on Monday.Anytime a statewide race loses a principled conservative like Mike Haridopolos in a race of this importance, it is a sad day for our state. He was a great help to me during the legislative session as we put steps in place to turn Floridas economy around and get Floridians back to work. I look forward to his continued leadership during the upcoming legislative session.
Democratic incumbent Nelson, in the midst of a fund-raising blitz, had this to say on his Facebook page: As Ive said a bunch of times before, the election is a long ways off. Right now Im just focused on doing my job. Come Election Day if folks like the job Ive done, the politics will take care of itself."
Despite facing challenges in the final hours of the 2011 legislative session, including a last-minute showdown with the House over the final budget, Haridopolos pointed with pride to his record in managing the Senate.
Last year, I was elected president of the Florida Senate by my colleagues, noted Haridopolos. We had a pretty remarkable first session, passing initiatives to cap government spending, reform Medicaid and pensions, and bring excellence into the classroom. We did this all while balancing the budget without raising taxes."
While he noted that he would not seek office in 2012, Haridopolos insisted he was going to remain politically active.
To those who have supported me in my race for Senate, know that while I may be ending this campaign, I will not give up the fight, noted Haridopolos. To my colleagues in the Florida Senate, please know I will do everything I can to help us renew the promise that is Florida.
While the Senate president had a strong first quarter for fundraising, bringing in $2.6 million, his momentum slowed down 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.
On the campaign trail, Haridopolos also had been plagued by a number of missteps, including being hung up on during the Ray Junior radio show after failing to provide a definite answer if he backed the budget proposed by U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis. However, Haridopolos had also garnered some support including the backing of many of his legislative colleagues like state House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and U.S. Rep. Connie Mack.
Despite Haridopolos pulling out of the race, the Republican field remains crowded. Candidates currently seeking the Republican nomination to take on Nelson include former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, former Ruth's Chris CEO Craig Miller who ran for Congress in 2010 and entered the race last week, businessman and retired Army office Mike McCalister who ran for governor in 2010, businessman and engineer Ron Rushing, consultant Bill Fisher who ran for Congress in 2010 and businessman Ron McNeil who ran for Congress in 1982 and 2010. Other candidates have left the door open to jumping into the Republican primary, including U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan and businessman Nick Loeb who ran for a state Senate seat in 2010.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
