George LeMieux quits race for U.S. Senate in Florida

Former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux has dropped out of the 2012 race for the United States Senate in Florida.

In a statement released early Wednesday on YouTube, LeMieux indicated that the Republican Party had thrown its support behind U.S. Rep. Connie Mack IV.  As a sitting United States Congressman, Mack enjoys widespread recognition.  

LeMieux said he could only match that support with substantial advertising or the opportunity to debate on statewide television.

LeMieux was seeking the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson in November.

LeMieux was appointed in 2009 to the U.S. Senate by former Gov. Charlie Crist to complete the term after Sen. Mel Martinez resigned.  Crist ran for the seat in 2010 without party affiliation and lost to current Sen. Marco Rubio.

U.S. Rep. Mack is the front runner for the GOP nomination.  Others candidates include U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon and retired Army Col. Mike McCalister.

Media release from the LeMieux campaign:

“For 16 months I had the privilege of my life serving the people of Florida in the United States Senate. What I witnessed compelled me to return.  Bloated government that keeps job creators from hiring and a government so far in debt that it will bankrupt this nation by the end of the decade if serious changes are not made.

We have campaigned on ideas, to balance the budget, to create jobs, to gain independence from foreign oil, and to improve our children’s education. And while our campaign has been strong, gaining support and winning straw polls, the decision has been made by party leadership that there is a better candidate to face Bill Nelson.

The establishment has thrown their support behind my competitor, Connie Mack. Ahead of us in the polls, the Mack name enjoys widespread recognition that can only be matched with substantial advertising or the opportunity to debate on statewide television.

Advertising, which our finances cannot support, and debates, which my competitor won’t agree to.

It is not my nature to step aside, but there is a reality to running a statewide race in Florida. Without the resources or the opportunity to debate, our message simply cannot be heard.

This campaign was never about me. It was about my four kids, and your kids and grand kids. And ensuring that they inherit an America with as much opportunity and prosperity as the America left to us.

As a former party chairman, I know that sometimes for the good of the party, and the good of the nation, a candidate has to bow out gracefully. In order to have the best chance to defeat Bill Nelson and put the Senate in Republican hands, today we will end our campaign.

To continue would only hurt our chances in the fall, and that is not something that I will risk. Connie Mack will be our nominee. He has my support. 

Words cannot express how grateful I am for all of you that supported our endeavor. You have my friendship and eternal gratitude. To all of our supporters, 67 county chairs, the 35 state legislators that endorsed me, as well as the dozen of opinion leaders that lent their effort to our team, our finance team, and everyone who opened their homes and their hearts to me, thank you. I will always be grateful for your support.

For now, I will continue to fight for our candidates and our conservative values, and look forward to reengaging in my law practice at the Gunster Firm. And most importantly spending more time with my wife Meike, and our four children, Max, Taylor, Chase and Madeleine, or as I like to say—three monkeys and a princess.

2012 is the more important election of our lifetime. Please do everything you can to support our candidates. And from the bottom of my heart, thank you.”

This Week on The Credit Report with Bill Lewis

Interesting guests and timely topics will be on AM 1470 WWNN the week of October 17th and The Credit Report with Bill Lewis.

Former prosecutor and Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney Jim Lewis will appear and discuss his candidacy for Broward State Attorney as the only Republican for this countywide office in 2012.

Davie Mayoral candidate Mike Crowley will appear and discuss his candidacy for mayor and his plan to create jobs by attracting high-technology business to Davie.

Foreclosure defense attorney Carlos Reyes will appear and discuss the latest developments in the “robo-signing” controversy and investigations started by the Florida Attorney General’s Office.

Chairman Richard Denapoli of the Broward Republican Party will appear and discuss Congressman Allen West’s appearance at the monthly meeting and the continuing commitment of the Broward Republican Executive Committee to ensure success in the 2012 presidential election.

Talk show host Steve Kane will appear and discuss his upcoming appearance at Wings Plus in Coral Springs and other initiatives of The Steve Kane Show on AM 1470 WWNN.

Florida’s 34^th Senator and current U.S. Senate candidate George LeMieux will discuss his candidacy in the Republican race to replace Democratic Senator Bill Nelson.

Tom Lauder of RedBroward will appear and discuss his political blog where “Making Broward See Red” is not such a hard job.

Coral Springs Commissioner and mayoral candidate Vince Boccard will appear and discuss his decision to run for mayor of one of Money Magazine’s “100 Best Places to Live” across America – ranked first in the State of Florida and 44th on the overall list.

Talk show host and attorney Lisa Macci will appear and discuss her recent move to AM 1470 WWNN and “The Justice Hour with Lisa Macci.”

Criminal defense attorney John Contini will appear and discuss the importance of criminal history records sealing when seeking employment in tough economic times.

Republican Party of Broward County Executive Director Rico Petrocelli will appear and discuss initiatives to grow the local party and upcoming events.

The Credit Report with Bill Lewis is a daily forum for business and financial news, politics, economic trends, and cutting edge issues.  Bill can be heard weekday’s at 9 o’clock on AM 1470 WWNN in south Florida or by streaming audio at www.wwnnradio.com.  Phone lines are open at (888) 565-1470. 

This Week on The Credit Report with Bill Lewis

Interesting guests and timely topics will be on the air the week of September 12th on AM 1470 WWNN and The Credit Report with Bill Lewis.

Florida’s 34^th Senator and current U.S. Senate candidate George LeMieux will discuss his candidacy in the Republican race to replace Democratic Senator Bill Nelson.

Commander Michael Calderin of Broward County Crimestoppers will appear and discuss the recent reenactment of the homicide of BSO Sgt. Chris Reyka and the $267,000 reward being offered in the unsolved murder of a policeman.

Foreclosure defense attorney Carlos Reyes will appear and discuss the latest developments in the “robo-signing” controversy and investigations started by the Florida Attorney General’s Office.

Talk show host and attorney Lisa Macci will appear and discuss her recent move to AM 1470 WWNN and “The Justice Hour with Lisa Macci.”

Tom Lauder of RedBroward will appear and discuss his political blog where “Making Broward See Red” is not such a hard job.

Chairman Richard Denapoli of the Broward Republican Party will appear and discuss Presidency 5 and the continuing commitment of the Broward Republican Executive Committee to ensure success in the 2012 presidential election.

Cooper City Commissioner John Sims will appear and discuss the David Nall libel litigation against the city as well as other local business.

Fort Lauderdale attorney Christine C. Gill will appear and discuss “September is National Coupon Month” and initiatives at maximizing your dollar when shopping for groceries and other household goods in tough economic times.

Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti will appear and discuss CyberVisor, the agency’s version of Twitter, and other initiatives of the largest fully accredited law enforcement agency in America.

Criminal defense attorney John Contini will appear and discuss the importance of criminal history records sealing when seeking employment in tough economic times.

Scott Spages will appear and discuss a special screening of the documentary: “Iranium the Movie” on Friday, September 16^th at Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale, under the Faith Forum program. 

Republican Party of Broward County Executive Director Rico Petrocelli will appear and discuss initiatives to grow the local party and upcoming events.

The Credit Report with Bill Lewis is a daily forum for business and financial news, politics, economic trends, and cutting edge issues.  Bill can be heard weekday’s at 9 o’clock on AM 1470 WWNN in south Florida or by streaming audio at www.wwnnradio.com.  Phone lines are open at (888) 565-1470. 

This Week on The Credit Report with Bill Lewis

Interesting guests and timely topics will be on the air this week on AM 1470 WWNN and The Credit Report with Bill Lewis.

Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney David Singer will appear and discuss Tuesday’s “Up-the-River” Cruise on behalf of Jail and Bail as well as the Broward unit of the American Cancer Society.

Broward Republican Party Executive Director Rico Petrocelli will discuss Tea Party favorite Christine O’Donnell and her successful book signing last Thursday on behalf of the party at the Coral Ridge Yacht Club in Fort Lauderdale.  O’Donnell appeared to discuss her new book, “Troublemaker: Let’s Do What It Takes to Make America Great Again.”

Florida’s 34^th Senator and current U.S. Senate candidate George LeMieux will appear and discuss his candidacy in the Republican race to replace Democratic Senator Bill Nelson.

Foreclosure defense attorney Carlos Reyes will discuss the latest developments and controversies surrounding the foreclosure crisis in Florida.

Davie Mayoral candidate Mike Crowley will appear and discuss his candidacy for mayor and his plan to create jobs by attracting high-technology business to Davie.

Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney John Contini will discuss the importance of the sealing or expungement of criminal history records when seeking employment in a tough economy.

Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti will appear and discuss Hurricane Preparedness and other initiatives of the largest fully accredited law enforcement agency in America.

Immediately following the Steve Kane Show on AM 1470 WWNN, The Credit Report with Bill Lewis is a daily forum for business and financial news, politics, economic trends, and cutting edge issues.  Bill can be heard weekday’s at 9 o’clock on AM 1470 WWNN in south Florida or by streaming audio at www.wwnnradio.com.  Phone lines are open at (888) 565-1470.

Congressman Allen West Has Shut the Door on U.S. Senate Run

The Republican field of candidates has been narrowed to nine – as of last count – in the race to unseat Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) in 2012.  Congressman Allen West (FL-22) has shut the door and announced his intent to seek re-election to the Broward-Palm Beach seat he won in 2010.

Following a record breaking fundraising quarter and a push from fellow Republicans to seek higher office, West has decided to stay put in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The outspoken freshman and Tea Party favorite from Plantation stirred the interest of reporters and Republican supporters in an interview last week when he stated that the door was “cracked very slightly” for running. 

“I cracked it open enough so that people can slip a note under the door and I can read the note,” said West.  “And I can write back on the note ‘probably not.'”

On Monday, Congressman Allen West shut the door on a possible U.S. Senate run with the following statement:

(BOCA RATON, FL)  Congressman Allen West announced today that he is running for reelection for the House of Representatives and is closing the door on a race for the United States Senate.

Congressman West stated:

“Over the last several weeks, numerous leaders of the Florida Republican Party, including current and past elected officials, have spoken to me about the race for the United States Senate. Out of respect, I was willing to listen.

They realize, as do I, that we need to change the United States Senator for the State of Florida. Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senator Bill Nelson are not acting in the best interests of Floridians and the American people.

In November of 2010, the citizens of the 22nd Congressional District sent me to Capitol Hill to right our fiscal ship of state, to work to rebuild our economy and to create jobs.

For the last two weeks, I have traveled the Congressional District and spoken clearly to the citizens that while we have made progress these last seven months, there is still so much to accomplish for our country. I believe the place where I can best effect the needed change is from the People’s House – the House of Representatives.

I have been given one of the highest honors to serve in the House of Representatives and I will continue to serve the citizens in that capacity. I will not seek the Republican nomination for the United States Senate in 2012. With regard to my future, the only goal I have is to do my very best to represent the constituents of the Congressional District and to restore the exceptionalism of our nation.”

With Congressman West announcing his intent to seek re-election in CD-22, the Republican field of candidates to challenge Senator Bill Nelson has been narrowed to Bill Fisher Jr., Alexander George, Adam Hasner, George LeMieux, Mike McCalister, Ron McNeil, Craig Miller, Ron Rushing, and Marielena Stuart.

Mike Haridopolos Quits U.S. Senate Race

State Senate President Mike Haridopolos’ campaign for the U.S. Senate has unexpectedly ended.   This is just days after two top staffers announced their resignations.

The departure of campaign manager Tim Baker and campaign advisor Pat Bainter were the last in a series of stumbles and missteps that plagued Haridopolos, who has had trouble serving in his role as Senate president while campaigning for the United States Senate.

“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,” said Haridopolos.

“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 re-dedicating myself to finishing the job you sent me to do here in Florida,” he said.

The Senate field has now been narrowed to Florida’s 34^th Senator – George LeMieux, former House Majority leader Adam Hasner, retired Army Colonel Mike McCalister and former Ruth’s Chris CEO Craig Miller. The Republicans are vying to take on incumbent Democratic Senator Bill Nelson.

“I wish Mike, Stephanie, and his family all the best and thank them for their commitment to public service,” said former U.S. Senator George LeMieux. 

“Mike Haridopolos is a leader who has worked for years to push a bold vision in the Florida legislature. Mike and I agree that to create good jobs for Floridians we need to reduce our debt and create an environment that nurtures America’s entrepreneurial spirit.  I hope Mike’s supporters will consider joining me in my fight to retire Bill Nelson and end Harry Reid’s reign as Majority Leader,” concluded LeMieux.

Mike McCalister, and Craig Miller have not returned calls or text messages for comment.

“Mike Haridopolos has always been a friend.  He made a difficult decision today and I respect him for making it.  Jillian and I wish Mike, Stephanie and the entire Haridopolos family the very best,” said Adam Hasner in a written statement.

“Our campaign remains focused on the important issues facing our country, and the principled, limited-government leadership we need in Washington,” concluded Hasner.