Janet Reno endorses Betty Castor for U.S. Senate

(AP) Herald Tribune ^ | December 01. 2003 | AP

[JohnnyZ]

Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno endorsed former state education commissioner Betty Castor for the U.S. Senate Monday, saying Castor's long commitment to bolstering education and the environment would serve Florida well.

Reno chose Castor over two other prominent Democrats seeing the seat of retiring Sen. Bob Graham - Miami-Dade County Mayor Alex Penelas and U.S. Rep. Peter Deutsch of Pembroke Pines.

Castor served as Florida's commissioner of education from 1987 to 1993 before becoming president of the University of South Florida. She was school president until 1999, when she became president of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Reno sought the Democratic nomination for governor last year, but was edged by Tampa attorney Bill McBride.

Republicans in the race include former Judicial Watch head Larry Klayman of Miami, House Speaker Johnnie Byrd of Plant City, state Sen. Daniel Webster of Orlando and former U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum, the party's unsuccessful Senate candidate in 2000.

Housing and Urban Development Secratary Mel Martinez and U.S. Rep Katherine Harris, R-Sarasota, may also seek the GOP nomination.

[JohnnyZ]

Castor has solidified her status as front-runner for the Rats. Any bets on how long until Deutsch starts attacking her?

[Clintonfatigued]

Depends on how many other 'Rats climb aboard the Castor bandwagon. With Peter Deutch sitting on $3.3 million cash-on-hand, you can be that the negative ads are already being filmed.

[jagrmeister]

It's really too early to declare front-runners since few are paying attention. Castor is clawing her way into the spotlight but when the better funded candidates like Deutch and Pinelas throw their hat in the ring, we'll get a better picture. McBride's endorsement probably matters more than Reno's and of course Graham's endorsement will be even more significant.

[FUMETTI]

I wonder if Castor is also a lesbian.

[Otis Mukinfus]

Is this the same Janet Reno that we in Texas call "The Murderess of Waco?

[Dan from Michigan]

Go Peter Deutsch!!!!