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Alex Sink, the retired banking executive and wife of former gubernatorial candidate Bill McBride, won't run for Bob Graham's U.S. Senate seat.
Sink had been mulling a run for the seat Graham expects to vacate as he campaigns for president, and was widely viewed as a potentially formidable Democratic candidate.
But the former banker said Monday she concluded she didn't have "the fire in the belly" to launch another grueling campaign on the heels of last year's gubernatorial race. She said she wants to focus on her children, ages 14 and 15, as they prepare for college.
Another Tampa Democrat, Betty Castor, a former University of South Florida president who also has served as state education commissioner, is also looking at running, but Sink said that did not influence her thinking.
Other Democrats considering a bid include U.S. Reps. Allen Boyd of Monticello, Peter Deutsch of Fort Lauderdale and Alcee Hastings of Miramar, and Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas.
Likely Republican candidates include U.S. Rep. Mark Foley of West Palm Beach and former U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum of Longwood.
State Sen. Daniel Webster, R-Winter Garden, was said to be considering a run, but he said he is concentrating on the Legislature, now in special session.