United States Senate election in Florida, 2012

2006 ←

November 6, 2012

→ 2018



Party	Democratic	Republican

U.S. Senator before election

Bill Nelson
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

TBD

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2011

The 2012 United States Senate election in Florida will be held on November 6, 2012 alongside a presidential election, other elections to the United States Congress, as well as various state and local elections. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Bill Nelson is running for re-election to a third term.

1 Democratic primary
- 1.1 Candidates
2 Republican primary
3 General election
- 3.1 Polling
4 See also
5 References
6 External links

Democratic primary

Candidates

Bill Nelson, incumbent U.S. senator^[1]^[2]

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Bill Fisher Jr., environmental consultant
Adam Hasner, former Florida House of Representatives majority leader ^[3]
George LeMieux, former U.S senator^[4]
Connie Mack IV, U.S. representative^[5]^[6]
Mike McCalister, university professor and 2010 Republican primary candidate^[7]
Ron McNeil, businessman^[8]
Craig Miller, former CEO of Ruth's Chris Steak House and unsuccessful 2010 candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives^[9]
Ron Rushing, businessman^[10]
Marielena Stuart, conservative activist and journalist^[11]

Withdrew

Alexander George, businessman, political activist, minister^[12]
Mike Haridopolos, President of the Florida Senate^[13]

Potential

Rick Baker, former mayor of St. Petersburg^[14]
Jennifer Carroll, lieutenant governor^[15]
Tom Lee, former president of the Florida Senate^[16]
Will McBride, attorney^[17]
Chris Ruddy, founder and CEO of Newsmax^[18]
Daniel Webster, U.S. representative^[19]

Declined

Allan Bense, former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives^[20]
Vern Buchanan, U.S. representative^[21]
Jeb Bush, former Florida governor^[22]
Nick Loeb, businessman^[23]
Tom Rooney, U.S. representative^[24]
Allen West, U.S. representative^[25]^[26]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Adam Hasner	George LeMieux	Connie Mack IV	Mike McCalister	Craig Miller	Other/ Undecided
Public Policy Polling	November 28-30, 2011	470	± 4.5%	3%	12%	40%	4%	3%	38%
Quinnipiac	October 31-November 7, 2011	513	± 4.3%	2%	9%	32%	6%	2%	45%
Public Policy Polling	September 22-25, 2011	472	± 4.5%	9%	13%	—	17%	3%	58%
Quinnipiac	September 14-19, 2011	374	± 5.1%	5%	17%	—	5%	11%	58%
Quinnipiac	July 27-August 2, 2011	510	± 4.3%	6%	12%	—	15%	8%	53%

Endorsements

Endorsements for Adam Hasner
Former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Allan Bense^[27] Prominent conservative author and talk show host Mark Levin^[28] Red State, Writer, and Columnist Erick Erickson Fox News Analyst Monica Crowley Former Secretary of State of Ohio, Ken Blackwell^[29]

Endorsements for Connie Mack
Mike Haridopolos, State Senator and Senate President (R-FL)^[30] Connie Mack III, former U.S. Senator (R-FL) Mary Bono Mack, U.S. Congresswoman (R-CA) Jeff Miller, U.S. Representative^[31] Prominent conservative author and talk show host Sean Hannity^[32]

Endorsements for George LeMieux
Governor Haley Barbour of Mississippi^[33] State Senator Paula Dockery^[34] State Senator Nancy Detert^[35] State Senator Rene Garcia^[36] State Representative Clay Ford^[37] State Representative Fred Costello^[38] State Representative Charles Van Zant^[39]

General election

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bill Nelson (D)	Adam Hasner (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	November 28 - December 1, 2011	700	± 3.7%	48%	33%	—	19%
Rasmussen Reports	November 17, 2011	500	± 4.5%	40%	31%	9%	19%
Public Policy Polling	September 22-25, 2011	476	± 4.5%	49%	35%	—	16%
Mason-Dixon	August 18-22, 2011	625	± 4.0%	45%	34%	—	21%
Public Policy Polling	June 16-19, 2011	848	± 3.4%	47%	35%	—	19%
Quinnipiac	May 17-23, 2011	1,196	± 2.8%	48%	23%	3%	24%
Public Policy Polling	March 24-27, 2011	500	± 4.4%	48%	32%	—	20%
Mason-Dixon	February 9-10, 2011	625	± 4.0%	46%	24%	—	30%
Public Policy Polling	December 17-20, 2010	1,034	± 3.0%	46%	30%	—	25%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bill Nelson (D)	George LeMieux (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	November 28 - December 1, 2011	700	± 3.7%	47%	32%	—	20%
Rasmussen Reports	November 17, 2011	500	± 4.5%	39%	33%	10%	18%
Public Policy Polling	September 22-25, 2011	476	± 4.5%	49%	35%	—	15%
Mason-Dixon	August 18-22, 2011	625	± 4.0%	49%	34%	—	17%
Public Policy Polling	June 16-19, 2011	848	± 3.4%	46%	35%	—	19%
Quinnipiac	May 17-23, 2011	1,196	± 2.8%	47%	27%	2%	22%
Public Policy Polling	March 24-27, 2011	500	± 4.4%	48%	33%	—	19%
Mason-Dixon	February 9-10, 2011	625	± 4.0%	49%	35%	—	16%
Public Policy Polling	December 17–20, 2010	1,034	± 3.0%	47%	36%	—	17%
Public Policy Polling	July 16–18, 2010	900	± 3.26%	49%	28%	—	23%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bill Nelson (D)	Connie Mack IV (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	November 28 - December 1, 2011	700	± 3.7%	46%	35%	—	19%
Rasmussen Reports	November 17, 2011	500	± 4.5%	39%	43%	5%	13%
Quinnipiac	October 31-November 7, 2011	1,185	± 2.9%	42%	40%	1%	16%
Public Policy Polling	March 24-27, 2011	500	± 4.4%	47%	34%	—	18%
Mason-Dixon	February 9-10, 2011	625	± 4.0%	45%	40%	—	15%
Public Policy Polling	December 17-20, 2010	1,034	± 3.0%	44%	36%	—	20%
Public Policy Polling	October 9–10, 2010	448	± 4.6%	42%	33%	—	25%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bill Nelson (D)	Mike McCalister (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	November 28 - December 1, 2011	700	± 3.7%	47%	32%	—	21%
Public Policy Polling	September 22-25, 2011	476	± 4.5%	47%	34%	—	19%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bill Nelson (D)	Craig Miller (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	November 28 - December 1, 2011	700	± 3.7%	49%	30%	—	21%
Public Policy Polling	September 22-25, 2011	476	± 4.5%	49%	32%	—	19%

Hypothetical polling

Republican primary

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Mike Haridopolos	Adam Hasner	George LeMieux	Mike McCalister	Other/ Unde- cided
Quinnipiac	May 17-23, 2011	463	± 4.6%	13%	4%	14%	—	64%
Sunshine State Communications	May 12-13, 2011	458	± 4.58%	11%	0%	9%	4%	64%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Vern Buchanan	Jennifer Carroll	Mike Haridopolos	Adam Hasner	George LeMieux	Nick Loeb	Will McBride	Mike McCalister	Joe Scarborough	Daniel Webster	Other/ Unde- cided
Suffolk University/7 News	April 10-12, 2011	217	± 4%	5%	3%	2%	1%	4%	1%	3%	0%	6%	7%	67%

General election

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bill Nelson (D)	Vern Buchanan (R)	Other	Undecided
Mason-Dixon	August 18-22, 2011	625	± 4.0%	45%	35%	—	20%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bill Nelson (D)	Jeb Bush (R)	Other	Undecided
Mason-Dixon	February 9-10, 2011	625	± 4.0%	41%	49%	—	10%
Public Policy Polling	December 17–20, 2010	1,034	± 3.0%	44%	49%	—	7%
Public Policy Polling	July 16–18, 2010	900	± 3.26%	46%	44%	—	9%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bill Nelson (D)	Mike Haridopolos (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	June 16-19, 2011	848	± 3.4%	47%	35%	—	18%
Quinnipiac	May 17-23, 2011	1,196	± 2.8%	47%	26%	2%	22%
Public Policy Polling	March 24-27, 2011	500	± 4.4%	50%	34%	—	17%
Mason-Dixon	February 9-10, 2011	625	± 4.0%	48%	27%	—	25%
Public Policy Polling	December 17-20, 2010	1,034	± 3.0%	44%	32%	—	24%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bill Nelson (D)	Rush Limbaugh (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	October 9–10, 2010	448	± 4.6%	50%	36%	—	14%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bill Nelson (D)	Joe Scarborough (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	March 24-27, 2011	500	± 4.4%	45%	32%	—	22%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bill Nelson (D)	Jimmy Wales (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	March 24-27, 2011	500	± 4.4%	47%	28%	—	25%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bill Nelson (D)	Allen West (R)	Other	Undecided
Mason-Dixon	August 18-22, 2011	625	± 4.0%	44%	38%	—	18%

References

^ Bennett, George (January 16, 2011). "Nelson downplays state's shift to GOP". The Palm Beach Post. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state/nelson-downplays-states-shift-to-gop-1189869.html. Retrieved January 16, 2011.
^ Harding, Abel (January 18, 2011). "Bill Nelson talks re-election, healthcare reform in Jacksonville visit". The Florida Times-Union. http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/403455/abel-harding/2011-01-18/bill-nelson-talks-re-election-healthcare-reform. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
^ http://www.politico.com/blogs/davidcatanese/0411/Balderas_Hasner_file_paperwork_for_Senate_bids_.html?showall
^ http://www.politico.com/blogs/davidcatanese/0411/LeMieux_Im_in.html?showall
^ http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/11/28/rep-connie-mack-iv-announces-run-for-us-senate/
^ http://www.rollcall.com/news/connie_mack_iv_officially_joins_florida_senate_race-210605-1.html
^ Leary, Alex (November 23, 2010). "Sen. Bill Nelson gets his first official Republican challenger for 2012". TampaBay.com. http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/nelson-gets-his-first-official-republican-challenger-2012. Retrieved November 24, 2010.
^ http://www.mcneil2012.com/
^ http://www.rollcall.com/news/republican_businessman_enters_florida_senate_primary-207205-1.html?pos=hln
^ http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/blog/conservative-senate-candidate-ron-rushing-takes-aim-politicians
^ Powers, Scott (August 18, 2011). "Marielena Stuart joins U.S. Senate race". Orlando Sentinel. http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_politics/2011/08/marielena-stuart-joins-u-s-senate-race.html. Retrieved August 20, 2011.
^ "Error: no |title= specified when using {{Cite web}}". http://www.prlog.org/11684158-alexander-george-withdraws-us-senate-race-endorses-senator-george-lemieux.html.
^ Leary, Alex (July 18, 2011). "Haridopolos drops out of U.S. Senate race". Tampabay.com. http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/haridopolos-drops-out-us-senate-race. Retrieved July 18, 2011.
^ http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2011/sep/28/gop-insiders-tom-lee-rick-baker-could-perk-up-sena-ar-261021/
^ McPike, Erin (December 1, 2010). "Another GOP Senate Showdown Brewing in Florida". RealClearPolitics. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2010/12/01/another_gop_senate_showdown_brewing_in_florida_108108.html. Retrieved December 4, 2010.
^ http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2011/sep/28/gop-insiders-tom-lee-rick-baker-could-perk-up-sena-ar-261021/
^ Catanese, David (February 14, 2011). "Will McBride exploring Florida Senate race". Politico. http://www.politico.com/blogs/davidcatanese/0211/Will_McBride_exploring_Florida_Senate_race.html. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
^ http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2011/07/will-newsmax-mogul-chris-ruddy-run-for-us-senate-maybe-maybe-not.html
^ Isenstadt, Alex (December 2, 2010). "Webster for Senate?". Politico. http://www.politico.com/blogs/davidcatanese/1210/Webster_for_Senate.html. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
^ http://www.rollcall.com/news/Allan-Bense-Adam-Hasner-Florida-Senate-208266-1.html?pos=hln
^ http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2011/09/buchanan-closes.php
^ March, William (December 3, 2010). "Several Republicans may vie to take on Bill Nelson in 2012". The Tampa Tribune. http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/dec/03/031441/several-republicans-may-vie-to-take-on-bill-nelson/news-politics. Retrieved December 5, 2010.
^ Caputo, Marc (November 17, 2011). "Citing ill-health, Sofia Vergara's bf won't run for U.S. Senate.". St. Petersburg Times. http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/citing-ill-health-sofia-vergaras-bf-wont-run-us-senate. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
^ Wallace, Jeremy (February 11, 2011). "Rooney not ready for U.S. Senate run". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. http://politicalinsider.blogs.heraldtribune.com/12009/rooney-not-ready-for-u-s-senate-run. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
^ http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2011/08/west-im-not-run.php
^ http://www.politico.com/blogs/davidcatanese/0811/Allen_West_shuts_door_on_Senate_race_.html?showall
^ http://www.rollcall.com/news/Allan-Bense-Adam-Hasner-Florida-Senate-208266-1.html?pos=hln
^ http://shark-tank.net/2011/04/25/14012/
^ http://shark-tank.net/2011/06/06/15586/
^ http://www.postonpolitics.com/2011/11/endorsement-reversal-haridopolos-backs-pal-connie-mack-in-u-s-senate-race/
^ Miller, Joshua (December 12, 2011). "Jeff Miller Endorses Connie Mack IV for Senate". Roll Call. http://www.rollcall.com/news/Connie-Mack-Jeff-Miller-Florida-Senate-endorsement-210962-1.html. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
^ http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/naples-sean-hannity-throws-support-behind-mack
^ http://dailycaller.com/2011/08/08/haley-barbour-lends-endorsement-in-florida-senate-primary/
^ http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_politics/2011/09/lemieux-wins-endorsements-of-three-legislators.html
^ http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_politics/2011/09/lemieux-wins-endorsements-of-three-legislators.html
^ http://saintpetersblog.com/2011/10/george-lemieux-receives-endorsement-of-three-more-fl-lawmakers-sen-garcia-reps-fred-costello-and-charles-van-zant/
^ http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_politics/2011/09/lemieux-wins-endorsements-of-three-legislators.html
^ http://saintpetersblog.com/2011/10/george-lemieux-receives-endorsement-of-three-more-fl-lawmakers-sen-garcia-reps-fred-costello-and-charles-van-zant/
^ http://saintpetersblog.com/2011/10/george-lemieux-receives-endorsement-of-three-more-fl-lawmakers-sen-garcia-reps-fred-costello-and-charles-van-zant/

External links

Official campaign websites

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United States Senate election in Florida, 2012

Contents

Democratic primary

Candidates

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Withdrew

Potential

Declined

Polling

Endorsements

General election

Polling

See also

References

External links