Lacking funds and lagging in the polls, Republican George LeMieux on Wednesday dropped his bid for the party’s nomination for the U.S. Senate and urged his party to rally behind his opponent, Congressman Connie Mack.
LeMieux, who served in the U.S. Senate for 15 months, said the time had come to step aside and focus the party’s attention on defeating the Democratic incumbent, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, and regain control of the Senate.
But even in urging support for Mack, LeMieux took a swipe at him – noting Mack’s refusal to debate was part of what made it necessary to quit. With party leadership firmly in Mack’s camp, LeMieux said the climb had become too steep.
“Ahead of us in the polls, the Mack name enjoys widespread recognition that can only be matched with substantial advertising or the opportunity to debate on statewide television,” LeMieux said in a statement to supporters. “Advertising, which our finances cannot support, and debates, which my competitor won’t agree to.
“It is not my nature to step aside, but there is a reality to running a statewide race in Florida,” he said in a video message thanking backers for their support.
Despite his status as a former U.S. Senator, LeMieux could not get traction in his bid to return to office. His popularity among Republicans never got beyond single digits, according to a series of polls that have chronicled the race up to this point.
His decision leaves former Congressman Dave Weldon, Mike McCalister, Deon Long, and Marielena Stuart on the ballot for the Republican primary in the race. Nelson has one relatively unknown primary challenger, Glenn Burkett, and voters will also see no party candidates Chris Borgia, and Bill Gaylor on the ballot.
