Desertdog
Member
Katherine Harris announces run for U.S. Senate in 2006
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-67harrissenate,0,1591758.story
By BRENDAN FARRINGTON
TALLAHASSEE -- Republican U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris, who was praised and vilified for her role as Florida's secretary of state in the 2000 presidential recount, said Tuesday she will run for the U.S. Senate next year against Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson.
Her announcement brings a high-profile name and the potential to raise a substantial amount of money to a race that Republicans already have said they would target.
``Today, after months of encouragement from friends and constituents, colleagues and advisers, many prayers and with the love and support of my family, the time has come to launch a campaign for the U.S. Senate,'' Harris told The Associated Press.
Harris, who is serving her second term in Congress, will formally announce her plans in July. The Sarasota woman considered running for Senate last year after Bob Graham announced his retirement. After weeks of speculation, she said she would run later, just not in 2004.
Running against an incumbent may be a more difficult challenge, but Harris is considered a top fundraiser and is a popular figure among Republicans.
But she is also despised by some Democrats for her role in overseeing the recount that ultimately gave Florida and the White House to George W. Bush over Al Gore. Her entry into the race could galvanize Democratic voters and contributors.
The White House wanted her to stay out of the 2004 Senate race won by Republican Mel Martinez for fear her candidacy would produce a big turnout among angry Democrats and hurt President Bush's chances of carrying Florida and its crucial 27 electoral votes.
In 2000, Bush won a 537-vote victory over Gore after a dispute that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. While Democrats accused Harris of partisanship in her handling of the recount, she became the darling of GOP activists and got elected to Congress in 2002.
A longtime fixture in Florida politics, Nelson has served in the U.S. House and Senate for 16 years and has held political office for all but four years since 1972.
"I've always done best when I've started out as the underdog,'' Harris said.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-67harrissenate,0,1591758.story
By BRENDAN FARRINGTON
TALLAHASSEE -- Republican U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris, who was praised and vilified for her role as Florida's secretary of state in the 2000 presidential recount, said Tuesday she will run for the U.S. Senate next year against Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson.
Her announcement brings a high-profile name and the potential to raise a substantial amount of money to a race that Republicans already have said they would target.
``Today, after months of encouragement from friends and constituents, colleagues and advisers, many prayers and with the love and support of my family, the time has come to launch a campaign for the U.S. Senate,'' Harris told The Associated Press.
Harris, who is serving her second term in Congress, will formally announce her plans in July. The Sarasota woman considered running for Senate last year after Bob Graham announced his retirement. After weeks of speculation, she said she would run later, just not in 2004.
Running against an incumbent may be a more difficult challenge, but Harris is considered a top fundraiser and is a popular figure among Republicans.
But she is also despised by some Democrats for her role in overseeing the recount that ultimately gave Florida and the White House to George W. Bush over Al Gore. Her entry into the race could galvanize Democratic voters and contributors.
The White House wanted her to stay out of the 2004 Senate race won by Republican Mel Martinez for fear her candidacy would produce a big turnout among angry Democrats and hurt President Bush's chances of carrying Florida and its crucial 27 electoral votes.
In 2000, Bush won a 537-vote victory over Gore after a dispute that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. While Democrats accused Harris of partisanship in her handling of the recount, she became the darling of GOP activists and got elected to Congress in 2002.
A longtime fixture in Florida politics, Nelson has served in the U.S. House and Senate for 16 years and has held political office for all but four years since 1972.
"I've always done best when I've started out as the underdog,'' Harris said.
