So, we're hearing Allan Bense, the Florida speaker of the House, won't be entering the U.S. Senate race after all. Despite all the reports that said Bense was going to enter the race this week - not to mention a glowing endorsement from Gov. Jeb Bush - the speaker announced Wednesday that he just didn't want to do it, leaving Rep. Katherine Harris, as the only Republican candidate in the race vs. incumbent senator Bill Nelson.
''While the challenge of running a successful campaign over the next several months was exciting, and while I am confident we would have been successful, ultimately my decision came down to the fundamental question of whether I was willing to spend the next six, 12 or possibly 18 years of my life away from my family and my home serving Florida in the U.S. Senate,'' Bense said in a statement. ``After much thought and prayer, I realized the answer to that question is no.''
Harris said in a statement Wednesay that she "respects Allan's decision."
So what does incumbent Nelson have to say about all this?
"Regardless of who’s in the race, Bill Nelson’s going to run a campaign that centerpieces his 34-year record of helping the people of Florida,” said campaign manager Chad Clanton. “And that record shows Senator Nelson knows who he’s fighting for, and that he’s willing to put partisan politics aside to get the job done for them.”