EFL - FU
Florida Sen. Bob Graham will not seek re-election to a fourth term in the U.S. Senate and will announce his retirement Monday, sources confirmed to Fox News. Graham, who ended his bid for the Democratic nomination for president last month, will make his announcement at noon at Lincoln High School in Tallahassee, Fla. The senator is at the school for a "work day," in which he is working with construction workers on a new school roof and athletic track. A source close to Graham told The Associated Press that there were other things he wanted to do, but has pledged to help the Democratic Party keep the Senate seat. Graham, a former two-term governor, is considered one of the most popular politicians in Florida, where he has served in the Senate since 1987.
| "Yep. He's a flake, but he's our flake..." |
Five Democrats — former state Education Commissioner Betty Castor, U.S. Reps. Allen Boyd, Peter Deutsch and Alcee Hastings, and Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas — declared for the Senate seat but vowed not to challenge Graham.
Alcee — wasn’t he convicted of a crime/removed from judicial office once? nice
The field of Republicans seeking Graham’s seat include state House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, legal activist Larry Klayman, former U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum and state Sen. Dan Webster of the Orlando area. While the state GOP said his presidential campaign might make him vulnerable, analysts considered Graham to be a strong candidate for re-election. Graham faced pressure from fellow Democrats to run again. Republicans hold a 51-48 majority in the current Senate, with one Democratic-leaning independent. Three Democrats have announced plans to retire rather than seek re-election: Sens. Zell Miller of Georgia, John Edwards of North Carolina and Ernest "Fritz" Hollings of South Carolina.
I used to disagree with, but still respect Graham, but in the last year+ he’s become increasingly unhinged in his public statements and accusations in trying to appeal to the Dem primary voters. He won’t be missed nearly as much as Zell Miller |