FORT MYERS, Fla. — Republican Congressman Connie Mack IV says he will not seek U.S. Senate seat once held by his father, saying the timing is not right. His move puts Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos in the driver's seat as the only declared candidate for the Republican nomination to try to unseat Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson. .
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| Connie Mack |
Mack made the announcement Friday in Fort Myers, ending speculation that he would seek the GOP nod to try to unseat Nelson, who is seeking a third term in 2012. Mack's father retired from the Senate in 2001.
Mack, who had led the field of early potential candidates, recently stepped up attacks on Nelson, including a video on his political website that shows Nelson with President Barack Obama and criticizes him for being liberal.
Haridopolos is seeking the GOP nomination, and former state Rep. Adam Hasner has formed a Senate exploratory committee.
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