LeMieux To Run For Bill Nelson's Seat
MIAMI (CBS4) - Former U.S. Senator George LeMieux liked serving in the Senate so much, he wants the seat of his former colleague. LeMieux has thrown his hat in the ring against Democrat Senator Bill Nelson, up for re-election in 2012.
The Florida Republican made the announcement Tuesday morning.
"Senator Bill Nelson and his colleagues have created a government that stands in the way of prosperity, and it is time we retake control of the government that is supposed to serve us. We need serious people in Washington willing to make the tough decisions that our country needs in order to return to fiscal sanity and the principles of limited government upon which our country was founded," said LeMieux in a written statement.
LeMieux, who served as Chief of Staff to Governor Charlie Crist, was appointed by the governor to serve in the Senate when Mel Martinez left before the end of his term. During his 16 month stint, he impressed conservatives and joined in the Republic criticism of President Barack Obama.
He turned on Crist as the 2010 election wore on. He endorsed Marco Rubio as the new Senator began to gain momentum from the "tea party."
Since the November elections, the 41-year old LeMieux has been traveling the state, assembling a team and lining up fundraisers.
So far the only other major candidate to announce that he too was going to run for Nelson's seat is Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos.
The problem LeMieux will face is how far to the right he wants to go. Nelson has not positioned himself into the more liberal wings of the Democratic Party, but he's also not nearly conservative enough for LeMieux.
If LeMieux wins the seat, it would mean that every major office in the state of Florida will be held by the GOP. It would also threaten the Democrats power in the Senate.
But, LeMieux faces an uphill battle against Nelson. The Democrat is the more polished politician and has fought for key issues to the state, most notably the space industry.
If LeMieux and Haridopolos have a long and expensive primary, then Nelson will able to build up a sizable war-chest to use in the November general election.
The move will also help to generate more interest in the 2012 election, which conservatives hope will be the time they're able to take control of all of the branches of government by defeating President Barack Obama.
