TALLAHASSEE - Republican U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris disavowed any interest in the 2004 U.S. Senate race Tuesday, likening her chances of getting in to the odds of a rare heavenly phenomenon.
"It would take a syzygy for me to run," Harris said. She said a syzygy is when three bodies in the solar system align.
Harris, from Sarasota, became a Republican Party darling after the 2000 presidential recount, when, as Florida secretary of state, she played a key role by certifying that George W. Bush had won the state by 537 votes. She was elected last year to Congress. Her wide name recognition has led many to speculate that she would be a good candidate in the race for the seat of Democratic Sen. Bob Graham, who is running for president.
"I have said all along it's not on my radar screen," said Harris, in Tallahassee for the dedication of a fountain sculpture at the Capitol.
The Republican field for the seat so far includes U.S. Rep. Mark Foley of West Palm Beach, former U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum of Longwood, House Speaker Johnnie Byrd of Plant City, Gwyndolyn McClellan of Sarasota and perennial candidate Andy Martin of West Palm Beach. State Sen. Daniel Webster of Winter Garden and U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon of Palm Bay are considering the race.
