Republican Rep. Katherine Harris is telling supporters that she will challenge Democratic incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson.
First elected in 2002 to an open seat, Harris represents the west coast, Sarasota-based 13th congressional district. She won her first race with 55 percent and was re-elected in 2004 by the same margin. Voters in Florida and across the country know Harris best as the Secretary of State who played a pivotal and controversial role in the 2000 presidential recount. While that role endears her to Republicans and is a real asset in fundraising, it also makes Harris a very polarizing figure. Harris’s presence in the race is likely to dissuade other credible candidates from getting into the primary.
After serving six terms in the U.S. House and two terms as state Treasurer, Nelson was elected to the Senate in 2000, defeating then-Rep. Bill McCollum, 51 percent to 46 percent. During the 2000 race, Nelson did not have a reputation as a strong fundraiser or a charismatic campaigner. In fact, McCollum outraised him by just over $2 million, although the Democratic
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