By: William March
Source: tbo.com
The state Republican Party, which had hoped to clear the field to give Attorney General Bill McCollum an uncontested nomination for governor, now finds itself with at least two potential challengers, veteran legislator Dan Webster and state Sen. Paula Dockery.
Dockery and Webster would appeal to parts of the GOP primary electorate, likely ending hopes for McCollum to get a free primary ride and campaign from the start against his likely Democratic opponent, Alex Sink.
Meanwhile, Sink, the state chief financial officer, appears to have what GOP leaders wanted for McCollum, a clear primary field. Although some Republicans harbor doubts that McCollum can win, Democrats are enamored with Sink, and none have expressed interest in challenging her.
McCollum could face GOP primary foes
