BOCA RATON – Mike Haridopolos, perhaps the most nameworthy candidate among Republicans planning to seek the seat of Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson next year, has quit the race.
And that’s good news for former local State Rep. and ex-House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, whose Senate campaign team sent out an e-mail soon after Haridopolos left the race.
“There was big news today, and we wanted to share it with you,” said the email from the Hasner team. “One of our opponents, Mike Haridopolos, announced he is dropping out of the race for Senate.
”There’s now a clear choice between a principled, limited-government conservative and Marco Rubio ally in Adam Hasner, and the original ‘Charlie Crist Republican’ in George LeMieux.”
Actually, there are 10 announced candidates on the 2012 ballot already, most of them newcomers or also rans. However, LeMieux — who was picked by Gov. Crist to fill the unexpired term of former U. S. Senator Mel Martinez when he quit before his term expired – is also on that list.
Martinez’ seat was won in 2010 by Marco Rubio.
Hasner, 41, was District 87 state rep (Boca-Delray area) from 2002 to 2010, yielding the seat due to term limits. He was appointed House Majority Leader by Rubio when Rubio was House Speaker.
In an address posted on YouTube, Haridopolos said he was pursuing the U.S.Senate seat when he realized his duties as federal candidate and state senate president were “in conflict.”
“I am no longer a U.S. Senate candidate and won’t run for other office this year or next,” Haridopolos said, adding he is “rededicating myself” to being president of the Senate.