The very strong rumors that Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos was poised to make a run for the U.S. Senate seat currently occupied by Democrat Bill Nelson is no longer idle speculation, as every newspaper in the state is reporting that the Merrill Island legislator is inviting big Republican donors to a "private strategy meeting" in Orlando next month, and, if they don't mind, they should bring $10,000 with them.
Oh, and there's also a website called Mike2012.com, just in case there was any doubt about the Senator's plans.
An e-mail sent from GOP fundraiser Meredith O'Rourke reads:
"Senator Mike Haridopolos asked that I invite you to a private strategy session on Thursday, February 3rd in Orlando to discuss his candidacy for United States Senate. The meeting will take place at the Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport at 11:00 a.m.
"The senator would greatly appreciate it if you would consider raising $10,000 to Friends of Mike H and have it in hand for the strategy session."
Haridopolos says he's in it to win it, but tells Politico that his main focus right now is finding a way to reduce the budget deficit without alienating any Republicans:
Like Marco Rubio proved, I think you need to get in early and prove that you’re serious about the race. But I am more serious at this point about balancing the budget without a tax increase,” Haridopolos said.
“We have a $3.62 billion shortfall,” he said. “All my focus is on cutting $3.62 billion over the next, roughly, 120 days.”
The way the Legislature works, it's hard to believe that Haridopolos is only now going into his first regular session in March as the Senate leader. With legislators allowed only 8 years in each branch of government, ambitious pols like the Merrill Island lawmaker are named years in advance to such leadership positions (which is one reason St. Pete House Democrat Rick Kriseman has introduced new legislation to address that).
This article appears in Jan 13-19, 2011.