Fla. Sen. Graham May Not Seek 4th Term

The Associated Press ^ | 4/22/03 | Brent Kallestad

[LdSentinal]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Democratic presidential hopeful Bob Graham said Tuesday that he's urging potential successors to start working on their bids to replace him in the U.S. Senate.

The Florida lawmaker has not ruled out seeking a fourth term next year if his presidential campaign falters. Still, a handful of state Democrats have expressed interest in the race, and Graham said he has heard from several.

"I've been encouraging them to get organized, start forming a campaign and be ready to go," he said during a campaign appearance.

Graham also told reporters he expects to formally launch his presidential campaign in Florida on May 6. The 66-year-old senator had originally planned to make an official start Feb. 1 but was delayed by major heart surgery in late January and the war against Iraq.

One sign of Graham's increasingly national outlook: he recently stopped wearing his trademark red Florida ties and has started wearing neckties dotted with American flags.

"He's extremely serious about running for president and that the candidates looking to replace him should start preparing," state Democratic Party Chairman Scott Maddox said Tuesday. "He understands if you run for the United States Senate, you need to prepare in advance."

If Graham decides not to seek re-election, the campaign to replace him will be fierce in the swing state where the president's brother, Jeb, serves as governor. The Democratic Graham has had little trouble holding onto his Senate seat, but his absence in the race would be a prime opportunity for Republicans.

The potential field of Democrats for the Senate primary are Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas; Reps. Peter Deutsch, Allen Boyd and Alcee Hastings, and Alex Sink, a former bank executive and the wife of Bill McBride, the party's candidate for governor last year.

Among Republicans, Rep. Mark Foley and former congressman Bill McCollum are seeking the party's nomination. McCollum was the GOP's unsuccessful nominee in 2000 when Democrat Bill Nelson won the seat vacated by retiring Republican Sen. Connie Mack.

Graham, who spent last week introducing himself to voters in New Hampshire and California, plans to travel to Iowa and South Carolina next week. He is trying to gain a foothold against a crowded field of presidential candidates who started well ahead of him.

[LdSentinal]

Tartar sauce. This article is a duplicate. Delete this thread.

[Joe Boucher]

As a Florida voter I am glad to hear this. Hope he just goes and fades away. Have never liked the bum. In decades he's been in polotics I don't know of a thing he has done or accomplished other then get himself rich.