Another Republican to try running for nomination to oppose Senator Bill Nelson in 2006

House Speaker Allen Bense may throw his hat into the race to face Congresswoman and former Secretary of State Kathryn Harris in next year's Republican primary.

I don't know enough to comment on the merits of both candidates, I'll just say two things. One the more credible candidates the better for Florida voters. We need a legitimate field of candidates when voting at election time.

Second, I don't hold to the theory that Congresswoman Harris would be a liability in a general election. The people who are angry with her over the 2000 Presidential race are very unlikely to vote for the GOP. That and I don't feel she was wrong in the first place, Ms. Harris was enforcing Florida's election laws.

Here is the Orlando Sentinel article- http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-asecbense17061705jun17,0,1693760.story?coll=orl-home-headlines

GOP eyes Bense as opponent to Harris
Party favors state speaker in bid to unseat Nelson
By John Kennedy
Tallahassee Bureau
June 17, 2005

TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Jeb Bush and the White House are pushing House Speaker Allan Bense to challenge fellow Republican Katherine Harris for the U.S. Senate, fearing her candidacy would damage the GOP's chances in that race and the governor's contest next year.

The behind-the-scenes maneuvering appears to negate what was widely viewed as a deal that kept Harris out of the 2004 Senate campaign in exchange for her party's support in a 2006 challenge of Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla.

If Bense agrees, what had been expected to be a relatively smooth run to the nomination for Harris could become a heated primary battle between two Republicans.Bense, of Panama City, has one year left in his term as House speaker, and earlier said he had no political aspirations beyond that office.

Now he acknowledges that may soon change."I'm sure not pushing it, I can tell you that," Bense said. "But the calls have stepped up since she got in the race."On Thursday, he acknowledged he was considering the race amid strong courting by the Republican establishment.Gov. Bush and Sen. Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C., who heads the National Republican Senatorial Committee, are among those who have reached out to Bense since Harris declared her candidacy last week.

President Bush's political adviser, Karl Rove, also has lent support to the Bense recruitment effort, several Republican sources said.On Thursday, Gov. Bush said Bense would be "a very good candidate if he decides to run."

Asked what message the Republican establishment's courting of Bense sends to Harris, Bush said, "Nothing; absolutely nothing. It says more to my respect and working relationship with a really fine guy."