Katherine Harris to Run for U.S. Senate

Representative Katherine Harris, R-Florida has decided to challenge incumbent Democrat Senator Bill Nelson:

Republican Rep. Katherine Harris, who as Florida’s secretary of state was both praised and vilified for her part in the 2000 presidential recount, said Tuesday she will run for the Senate next year against Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson.

Her announcement brings a major name to the race, along with the potential to raise a lot of money.

“The time has come to launch a campaign for the U.S. Senate,” Harris told The Associated Press.

Flap handicaps a close and very expensive race. The Democrats I am positive would rather not have to spend the resources on an incumbent Senate defense.

Flap sees a possible pick-up for the Republicans.

Harris, who is serving her second term in Congress, is considered a top fundraiser and is a popular figure among Republicans. But she is also despised by some Democrats for her role in overseeing the recount that ultimately gave Florida and the White House to George W. Bush over Al Gore. And her entry into the race could galvanize Democratic voters and contributors.

She considered running for the Senate last year after Democrat Bob Graham announced his retirement, but decided to sit it out. The White House had wanted her to stay out of the race for fear her candidacy would produce big turnout among angry Democrats and hurt President Bush’s chances of carrying Florida and its crucial 27 electoral votes in 2004.

In 2000, Bush won a 537-vote victory over Gore after a dispute that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. While Democrats accused Harris of partisanship in her handling of the recount, she became the darling of GOP activists and got elected to Congress in 2002.

Now, it is Katherine’s turn…… get out your checkbook!