2012 United States Senate election in Florida explained

Election Name:2012 United States Senate election in Florida
Country:Florida
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2006 United States Senate election in Florida
Previous Year:2006
Next Election:2018 United States Senate election in Florida
Next Year:2018
Turnout:63.5% (voting eligible)[1]
Election Date:November 6, 2012
Image1:Bill Nelson.jpg
Nominee1:Bill Nelson
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:4,523,451
Percentage1:55.23%
Nominee2:Connie Mack IV
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:3,458,267
Percentage2:42.23%
U.S. Senator
Before Election:Bill Nelson
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Bill Nelson[2]
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

The 2012 United States Senate election in Florida was held on November 6, 2012, alongside a presidential election, other elections to the House and Senate, as well as various state and local elections. The primary election was held August 14, 2012. Incumbent Senator Bill Nelson won reelection to a third term, defeating Republican U.S. Representative Connie Mack IV (whose father, Connie Mack III was Nelson's direct predecessor in that Senate seat) by 13%, winning 55% to 42%. Nelson defeated Mack by over 1 million votes.

Until Donald Trump won 4.6 million votes in the 2016 presidential election and Marco Rubio won 4.8 million votes in the 2016 Senate election, Nelson recorded the most votes in Florida history., this was the last time that a Democrat won a U.S. Senate election in Florida. This is also the last time a Democrat carried the following counties in a statewide election: Brevard, Flagler, Franklin, Hamilton, Hendry, Hernando, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Okeechobee, Pasco, Polk, Sarasota, and Volusia.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Qualified

Withdrew

Declined

Polling

Poll sourceGeorge
LeMieux
Connie
Mack IV
Mike
McCalister
Dave
Weldon
Someone
else
Other/
Undecided
align=left Public Policy Polling[27] May 31 – June 3, 2012448±4.6%13%34%10%6%9%28%
align=left Quinnipiac[28] June 12–18, 2012698±3.7%8%41%5%3%1%39%
align=left Public Policy Polling[29] July 26–29, 2012500±4.4%47%10%14%6%23%

Results

General election

From a long way out, Nelson appeared to be vulnerable, with some earlier polls showing Mack leading. However, in the last few weeks with new polls conducted, it appeared as though Nelson was headed for a victory. The last poll placed him five percentage points ahead of Mack; Nelson would win easily by 13 percentage points. Nelson performed well in Southeast Florida (the Miami area), Tampa, Gainesville, typically Democratic areas. Nelson however managed to win in areas that typically lean Republican. For example, Nelson won in Duval County home of Jacksonville, and Volusia County home of Daytona Beach. Nelson's ability to outperform President Obama led to him winning the election easily. Obama would still win Florida, but by just about 74,000 votes, and less than a percentage point. Nelson began his third term in the Senate on January 3, 2013.

Candidates

Debates

Only one debate was held, hosted by Leadership Florida/Florida Press Association occurred on October 17 at the Nova Southeastern University campus in Davie.

Fundraising

Candidate (party)ReceiptsDisbursementsCash on handDebt
Bill Nelson (D)$13,404,998$15,494,167$994,324$0
Connie Mack (R)$7,272,224$7,526,150$155,076$81,880
Chris Borgia (I)$12,344$12,198$145$9,950
Bill Gaylor (I)$19,604$19,195$0$0
Source: Federal Election Commission[32] [33] [34] [35]

Top contributors

Bill NelsonContributionConnie MackContributionBill GaylorContribution
Morgan & Morgan$138,150Club for Growth$189,168Bill & Sheila Gaylor Insurance Professionals$7,905
Finmeccanica$71,967Elliott Management Corporation$46,997Circle Redmont$1,432
InDyne, Inc.$64,735Koch Industries$33,500
Harris Corporation$59,750Vestar Capital Partners$32,000
Akerman Senterfitt LLP$59,300Island Doctors$27,400
Greenberg Traurig$52,589Adams & Diaco$25,000
Kindred Healthcare$21,000Health Management Associates$21,000
Holland & Knight$46,747Flo-Sun Inc$18,500
Leon Medical Centers$45,800US Sugar Corporation$18,000
Vestar Capital Partners$40,650MasTec, Inc.$17,800
Source: OpenSecrets[36]

Top industries

Bill NelsonContributionConnie MackContributionBill GaylorContribution
Lawyers/Law firms$2,383,484Retired$885,121Retired$1,500
Retired$938,280Republican/Conservative$412,944
Real Estate$606,253Financial Institutions$360,334
Health Professionals$529,282Real Estate$298,642
Lobbyists$493,087Leadership PACs$280,500
Financial Institutions$418,915Misc Finance$216,836
Hospitals/Nursing Homes$364,617Health Professionals$199,159
Leadership PACs$337,000Lawyers/Law Firms$169,921
Insurance Industry$319,788Petroleum Industry$136,400
Health Services/HMOs$276,500Business Services$128,777
Source: OpenSecrets[37]

Independent expenditures

In early October 2012, Crossroads GPS announced it would launch a $16 million advertising buy in national races, of which four were this and three other Senate elections.[38] In Florida, the money was to be spent by its affiliate, American Crossroads.

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
align=left The Cook Political Report[39] November 1, 2012
align=left Sabato's Crystal Ball[40] November 5, 2012
align=left Rothenberg Political Report[41] November 2, 2012
align=left Real Clear Politics[42] November 5, 2012

Polling

Poll sourceBill
Nelson (D)
Connie
Mack IV (R)
OtherUndecided
align=left Public Policy Polling[43] October 9–10, 2010448±4.6%42%33%25%
align=left Public Policy Polling[44] December 17–20, 20101,034±3.0%44%36%20%
align=left Mason-Dixon[45] February 9–10, 2011625±4.0%45%40%15%
align=left Public Policy Polling[46] March 24–27, 2011500±4.4%47%34%18%
align=left Quinnipiac[47] October 31 – November 7, 20111,185±2.9%42%40%1%16%
align=left Rasmussen Reports[48] November 17, 2011500±4.5%39%43%5%13%
align=left Public Policy Polling[49] November 28 – December 1, 2011700±3.7%46%35%19%
align=left Quinnipiac[50] January 4–8, 20121,412±2.6%41%40%1%16%
align=left Suffolk University[51] January 22–24, 2012600±4.4%42%32%1%25%
align=left Mason-Dixon[52] January 24–26, 2012800±3.5%45%42%13%
align=left Rasmussen Reports[53] February 13, 2012500±4.5%41%41%5%12%
align=left Rasmussen Reports[54] March 13, 2012500±4.5%36%43%5%16%
align=left Quinnipiac[55] March 20–26, 20121,228±2.8%44%36%3%17%
align=left Public Policy Polling[56] April 12–15, 2012700±3.7%47%37%17%
align=left Rasmussen Reports[57] April 25, 2012500±4.5%47%36%10%7%
align=left Quinnipiac[58] May 15–21, 20121,722±2.4%41%42%3%15%
align=left Marist[59] May 17–20, 20121,078±3.0%46%42%12%
align=left Public Policy PollingMay 31 – June 3, 2012642±3.9%49%36%15%
align=left QuinnipiacJune 12–18, 20121,697±2.4%43%39%15%
align=left Quinnipiac[60] June 19–25, 20121,200±2.8%41%40%1%17%
align=left Rasmussen ReportsJuly 9, 2012500±4.5%37%46%7%10%
align=left Mason-Dixon[61] July 9–11, 2012800±3.5%47%42%11%
align=left Survey USA[62] July 17–19, 2012647±3.9%42%48%2%8%
align=left Public Policy PollingJuly 26–29, 2012871±3.3%45%43%13%
align=left Quinnipiac[63] July 24–30, 20121,177±2.9%47%40%1%12%
align=left Rasmussen ReportsAugust 15, 2012500±4.5%47%40%3%10%
align=left Quinnipiac[64] August 15–21, 20121,241±2.8%50%41%9%
align=left Public Policy Polling[65] August 31 – September 2, 20121,548±2.5%45%38%17%
align=left SurveyUSA[66] September 7–9, 2012596±4.1%47%36%3%9%
align=left NBC/WSJ/Marist Poll[67] September 9–11, 2012980±3.1%51%37%12%
align=left Rasmussen ReportsSeptember 12, 2012500±4.5%47%40%5%8%
align=left Fox News Poll[68] September 16–18, 2012829±3.0%49%35%2%12%
align=left TBT/Miami Herald[69] September 17–19, 2012800±3.5%48%40%11%
align=left Suffolk University[70] September 27–30, 2012600±4.0%40%34%5%20%
align=left NBC/WSJ/Marist Poll[71] September 30 – October 1, 2012890±3.3%52%41%7%
align=left Rasmussen ReportsOctober 4, 2012500±4.5%52%41%1%6%
align=left University of North Florida[72] October 1–9, 2012800±3.5%50%40%10%
align=left NBC/WSJ/Marist Poll[73] October 7–9, 2012988±3.1%52%39%9%
align=left TBT/Miami Herald[74] October 8–10, 2012800±3.5%47%42%4%7%
align=left Rasmussen ReportsOctober 11, 2012750±4.0%46%45%5%5%
align=left Public Policy Polling[75] October 12–14, 2012791±3.4%45%37%18%
align=left SurveyUSA[76] October 17–18, 2012600±4.1%48%40%4%8%
align=left Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers/WPTV[77] October 17–18, 2012800±4.0%45%41%14%
align=left Rasmussen ReportsOctober 18, 2012750±4.0%48%43%2%7%
align=left Angus Reid Public Opinion[78] October 18–20, 2012502±4.5%56%39%4%
align=left Pharos Research[79] October 19–21, 2012759±3.6%52%44%5%
align=left Sunshine State News/VSS[80] October 22–24, 20121,001±3.1%49%44%7%
align=left Mason-Dixon[81] October 22–24, 2012625±4.0%47%44%9%
align=left Rasmussen ReportsOctober 25, 2012750±4.0%49%46%2%3%
align=left WFLA-TV/SurveyUSA[82] October 25–27, 2012595±4.1%48%41%4%7%
align=left CBS/Quinnipiac University[83] October 23–28, 20121,073±3.0%52%39%9%
align=left Public Policy Polling[84] October 26–28, 2012687±3.7%50%42%9%
align=left Zogby/Newsmax[85] October 26–28, 2012827±3.5%50%41%9%
align=left Zogby/Newsmax[86] October 27–29, 2012828±3.5%50%41%9%
align=left Gravis Marketing[87] October 30, 2012549±4.2%49%46%5%
align=left Reuters/Ipsos[88] October 29–31, 2012716±4.2%52%42%1%6%
align=left NBC/WSJ/Marist[89] October 30 – November 1, 20121,545±2.5%52%43%1%5%
align=left Mason-Dixon[90] October 30 – November 1, 2012800±3.5%49%43%4%
align=left Angus Reid Public Opinion[91] November 1–3, 2012525±4.3%53%45%2%
align=left Public Policy Polling[92] November 3–4, 2012955±3.2%51%46%3%

Republican primary

Poll sourceAdam
Hasner
George
LeMieux
Connie
Mack IV
Mike
McCalister
Craig
Miller
Other/
Undecided
align=left Quinnipiac[93] July 27 – August 2, 2011510±4.3%6%12%15%8%60%
align=left Quinnipiac[94] September 14–19, 2011374±5.1%5%17%5%11%62%
align=left Public Policy Polling[95] September 22–25, 2011472±4.5%9%13%17%3%58%
align=left QuinnipiacOctober 31 – November 7, 2011513±4.3%2%9%32%6%2%51%
align=left Public Policy Polling[96] November 28–30, 2011470±4.5%3%12%40%4%3%38%
align=left Dixie Strategies/First Coast News[97] January 23–25, 20122,567±1.93%3.81%6.91%28.88%3.36%1.78%55.26%
align=left Mason-DixonJanuary 24–26, 2012500±4.5%4%12%38%7%1%38%
align=left Miami Herald/War Room Logistics[98] January 27, 20121,632±2.5%2.7%6.2%33.0%3.2%2.3%52.6%
align=left Public Policy Polling[99] January 28, 2012387±5.0%4%6%36%5%3%46%
align=left Public Policy Polling[100] January 28–29, 2012733±3.6%4%8%36%5%3%44%
align=left Public Policy Polling[101] January 28–30, 20121,087±3%3%8%39%4%3%42%
Poll sourceMike
Haridopolos
Adam
Hasner
George
LeMieux
Mike
McCalister
Other/
Undecided
align=left Sunshine State Communications[102] May 12–13, 2011458±4.58%11%0%9%4%64%
align=left Quinnipiac[103] May 17–23, 2011463±4.6%13%4%14%64%

General election

Poll sourceBill
Nelson (D)
Jeb
Bush (R)
OtherUndecided
align=left Public Policy Polling[106] July 16–18, 2010900±3.26%46%44%9%
align=left Public Policy PollingDecember 17–20, 20101,034±3.0%44%49%7%
align=left Mason-DixonFebruary 9–10, 2011625±4.0%41%49%10%
Poll sourceBill
Nelson (D)
Mike
Haridopolos (R)
OtherUndecided
align=left Public Policy PollingDecember 17–20, 20101,034±3.0%44%32%24%
align=left Mason-DixonFebruary 9–10, 2011625±4.0%48%27%25%
align=left Public Policy PollingMarch 24–27, 2011500±4.4%50%34%17%
align=left QuinnipiacMay 17–23, 20111,196±2.8%47%26%2%22%
align=left Public Policy Polling[107] June 16–19, 2011848±3.4%47%35%18%
Poll sourceBill
Nelson (D)
Adam
Hasner (R)
OtherUndecided
align=left Public Policy PollingDecember 17–20, 20101,034±3.0%46%30%25%
align=left Mason-DixonFebruary 9–10, 2011625±4.0%46%24%30%
align=left Public Policy PollingMarch 24–27, 2011500±4.4%48%32%20%
align=left QuinnipiacMay 17–23, 20111,196±2.8%48%23%3%24%
align=left Public Policy PollingJune 16–19, 2011848±3.4%47%35%19%
align=left Mason-DixonAugust 18–22, 2011625±4.0%45%34%21%
align=left Public Policy Polling[108] September 22–25, 2011476±4.5%49%35%16%
align=left Rasmussen ReportsNovember 17, 2011500±4.5%40%31%9%19%
align=left Public Policy PollingNovember 28 – December 1, 2011700±3.7%48%33%19%
align=left Suffolk University[109] January 22–24, 2012600±4.4%47%23%2%28%
Poll sourceBill
Nelson (D)
George
LeMieux (R)
OtherUndecided
align=left Public Policy PollingJuly 16–18, 2010900±3.26%49%28%23%
align=left Public Policy PollingDecember 17–20, 20101,034±3.0%47%36%17%
align=left Mason-DixonFebruary 9–10, 2011625±4.0%49%35%16%
align=left Public Policy PollingMarch 24–27, 2011500±4.4%48%33%19%
align=left QuinnipiacMay 17–23, 20111,196±2.8%47%27%2%22%
align=left Public Policy PollingJune 16–19, 2011848±3.4%46%35%19%
align=left Mason-DixonAugust 18–22, 2011625±4.0%49%34%17%
align=left Public Policy PollingSeptember 22–25, 2011476±4.5%49%35%15%
align=left Rasmussen ReportsNovember 17, 2011500±4.5%39%33%10%18%
align=left Public Policy PollingNovember 28 – December 1, 2011700±3.7%47%32%20%
align=left Suffolk University[110] January 22–24, 2012600±4.4%46%22%2%30%
align=left Mason-DixonJanuary 24–26, 2012800±3.5%48%33%19%
align=left Rasmussen ReportsFebruary 13, 2012500±4.5%45%35%5%15%
align=left Rasmussen ReportsMarch 13, 2012500±4.5%41%38%5%17%
align=left Public Policy PollingApril 12–15, 2012700±3.7%48%34%18%
align=left Rasmussen ReportsApril 25, 2012500±4.5%44%30%9%17%
align=left MaristMay 17–20, 20121,078±3%46%42%12%
align=left Public Policy PollingMay 31 – June 3, 2012642±3.9%48%35%17%
align=left QuinnipiacJune 12–18, 20121,697±2.4%47%32%1%17%
Poll sourceBill
Nelson (D)
Mike
McCalister (R)
OtherUndecided
align=left Public Policy PollingJuly 26–29, 2012871±3.3%45%40%15%
align=left QuinnipiacJune 12–18, 20121,697±2.4%45%34%1%18%
align=left Public Policy PollingMay 31 – June 3, 2012642±3.9%47%33%20%
align=left Rasmussen ReportsApril 25, 2012500±4.5%48%29%7%15%
align=left Public Policy PollingApril 12–15, 2012700±3.7%47%35%19%
align=left Rasmussen ReportsMarch 13, 2012500±4.5%42%38%4%15%
align=left Rasmussen ReportsFebruary 13, 2012500±4.5%43%37%5%15%
align=left Suffolk University[111] January 22–24, 2012600±4.4%45%26%2%28%
align=left Public Policy PollingNovember 28 – December 1, 2011700±3.7%47%32%21%
align=left Public Policy PollingSeptember 22–25, 2011476±4.5%47%34%19%
Poll sourceBill
Nelson (D)
Craig
Miller (R)
OtherUndecided
align=left Public Policy PollingNovember 28 – December 1, 2011700±3.7%49%30%21%
align=left Public Policy PollingSeptember 22–25, 2011476±4.5%49%32%19%
Poll sourceBill
Nelson (D)
Dave
Weldon (R)
OtherUndecided
align=left Public Policy PollingJuly 26–29, 2012871±3.3%46%39%15%
align=left QuinnipiacJune 12–18, 20121,697±2.4%47%31%1%19%
align=left Public Policy PollingMay 31 – June 3, 2012642±3.9%47%31%22%

Results

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

By congressional district

Nelson won 20 of 27 congressional districts, including ten that elected Republicans.[112]

DistrictNelsonMackRepresentative
1st35.83%61.28%
2nd54.07%43.43%Steve Southerland
3rd44.66%52.39%Corrine Brown (112th Congress)
Ted Yoho (113th Congress)
4th42.16%54.58%Ander Crenshaw
5th73.70%24.22%Rich Nugent (112th Congress)
Corrine Brown (113th Congress)
6th47.91%48.98%Cliff Stearns (112th Congress)
Ron DeSantis (113th Congress)
7th53.65%43.81%John Mica
8th49.47%47.15%Bill Posey
9th66.35%31.16%Gus Bilirakis (112th Congress)
Alan Grayson (113th Congress)
10th52.04%45.20%Bill Young (112th Congress)
Daniel Webster (113th Congress)
11th48.07%48.40%Kathy Castor (112th Congress)
Rich Nugent (113th Congress)
12th52.57%43.83%Dennis A. Ross (112th Congress)
Gus Bilirakis (113th Congress)
13th57.44%39.10%Vern Buchanan (112th Congress)
Bill Young (113th Congress)
14th69.28%28.45%Connie Mack IV (112th Congress)
Kathy Castor (113th Congress)
15th52.21%44.94%Bill Posey (112th Congress)
Dennis A. Ross (113th Congress)
16th50.39%46.70%Tom Rooney (112th Congress)
Vern Buchanan (113th Congress)
17th47.22%49.18%Frederica Wilson (112th Congress)
Tom Rooney (113th Congress)
18th53.60%44.47%Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (112th Congress)
Patrick Murphy (113th Congress)
19th42.66%54.51%Ted Deutch (112th Congress)
Trey Radel (113th Congress)
20th83.73%15.04%Debbie Wasserman Schultz (112th Congress)
Alcee Hastings (113th Congress)
21st65.65%32.87%Mario Díaz-Balart (112th Congress)
Ted Deutch (113th Congress)
22nd58.84%39.62%Allen West (112th Congress)
Lois Frankel (113th Congress)
23rd64.73%33.81%Alcee Hastings (112th Congress)
Debbie Wasserman Schultz (113th Congress)
24th87.29%11.71%Sandy Adams (112th Congress)
Frederica Wilson (113th Congress)
25th50.74%47.12%David Rivera (112th Congress)
Mario Díaz-Balart (113th Congress)
26th54.90%43.56%Joe Garcia
27th55.20%43.33%Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

See also

External links

Official campaign websites (Archived)

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2012 General Election Turnout Rates . . Dr. Michael McDonald . February 9, 2013 . April 3, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130424003112/http://elections.gmu.edu/Turnout_2012G.html . April 24, 2013 . dead . mdy-all .
  2. News: Bill Nelson Election Results: Democrat Defeats Connie Mack In Florida Senate Race . Huffingtonpost.com . November 6, 2012 . November 7, 2012 . Elyse . Siegel.
  3. Web site: Candidate Tracking system - Florida Division of Elections - Department of State . https://archive.today/20121224232032/http://election.dos.state.fl.us/candidate/CanDetail.asp?account=57920 . dead . December 24, 2012 . Election.dos.state.fl.us . November 7, 2012 .
  4. News: Rep. Connie Mack IV Announces Run for U.S. Senate . Fox News . November 28, 2011.
  5. http://www.rollcall.com/news/connie_mack_iv_officially_joins_florida_senate_race-210605-1.html Connie Mack IV Officially Joins Florida Senate Race : Roll Call Politics
  6. Web site: Sen. Bill Nelson gets his first official Republican challenger for 2012 . November 23, 2010 . November 24, 2010 . . Alex . Leary . https://web.archive.org/web/20121013144741/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/nelson-gets-his-first-official-republican-challenger-2012 . October 13, 2012 . dead . mdy-all .
  7. Web site: Marielena Stuart joins U.S. Senate race . August 18, 2011 . August 20, 2011 . . Scott . Powers . https://web.archive.org/web/20111218171324/http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_politics/2011/08/marielena-stuart-joins-u-s-senate-race.html . December 18, 2011 . dead . mdy-all .
  8. Web site: It's official: Dave Weldon to run for U.S. Senate in Florida . May 18, 2012 . May 18, 2012 . . Marc . Caputo.
  9. http://www.prlog.org/11684158-alexander-george-withdraws-us-senate-race-endorses-senator-george-lemieux.html Alexander George withdraws U.S. Senate Race- Endorses Senator George LeMieux | PRLog
  10. Web site: Haridopolos drops out of U.S. Senate race . July 18, 2011 . July 18, 2011 . Tampabay.com . Alex . Leary . https://web.archive.org/web/20110809215534/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/haridopolos-drops-out-us-senate-race . August 9, 2011 . dead . mdy-all .
  11. http://www.politico.com/blogs/davidcatanese/0411/Balderas_Hasner_file_paperwork_for_Senate_bids_.html?showall Balderas, Hasner file paperwork for Senate bids – David Catanese – POLITICO.com
  12. http://www.politico.com/blogs/david-catanese/2012/02/hasner-phoned-mack-not-lemieux-113114.html Hasner phoned Mack, not LeMieux – POLITICO.com
  13. Web site: Florida: Craig Miller Drops Senate Bid, Runs for House At the Races . January 30, 2012 . February 1, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120201193023/http://atr.rollcall.com/florida-criag-miller-drops-senate-bid-runs-for-house/ . dead .
  14. http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/blog/conservative-senate-candidate-ron-rushing-takes-aim-politicians Conservative Senate Candidate Ron Rushing Takes Aim at Politicians | Sunshine State News
  15. Web site: George LeMieux out of Senate race . CFN 13 Orlando . June 20, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120625210122/http://www.cfnews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/news/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2012/6/20/lemieux_out_of_senat.html . June 25, 2012 . dead .
  16. Web site: CFO Jeff Atwater announces he will not run for U.S. Senate . April 22, 2012 . April 21, 2012 . . Adam C. . Smith.
  17. http://www.rollcall.com/news/Allan-Bense-Adam-Hasner-Florida-Senate-208266-1.html?pos=hln Hasner Nabs Former Florida Speaker’s Endorsement : Roll Call Politics
  18. Web site: Buchanan Closes Door on Senate Run – Hotline On Call . September 27, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111003051943/http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2011/09/buchanan-closes.php . October 3, 2011 . dead . mdy-all .
  19. Web site: Several Republicans may vie to take on Bill Nelson in 2012 . December 3, 2010 . December 5, 2010 . . William . March.
  20. http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/04/22/2762757/looking-beyond-connie-mack-and.html Looking beyond Connie Mack and U.S. Senate race – Marc Caputo – MiamiHerald.com
  21. Web site: Citing ill-health, Sofia Vergara's bf won't run for U.S. Senate. . November 17, 2011 . November 17, 2011 . . Marc . Caputo . https://web.archive.org/web/20150518091737/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/citing-ill-health-sofia-vergaras-bf-wont-run-us-senate . May 18, 2015 . dead . mdy-all .
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  24. Web site: NewsMax's Chris Ruddy rejects suggestion he run for GOP Senate nomination . August 7, 2011 . May 13, 2012 . . George . Bennett . April 24, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120424210757/http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state/newsmaxs-chris-ruddy-rejects-suggestion-he-run-for-1707148.html? . dead .
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