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Associated PressThe ex-U.S. representative said he plans to top the $10-million he collected for a failed race three years ago.
ORLANDO - Former U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum launched his second campaign for the U.S. Senate on Monday, joining a field of four other Republicans and five Democrats who want to succeed U.S. Sen. Bob Graham.
McCollum, who lost to Democrat Bill Nelson in the 2000 Senate election, promised about 100 supporters at Orlando Executive Airport that he would back President Bush's policies, especially the conflict in Iraq.
"President Bush was right to oust the regime in Iraq," McCollum said. "Now it is imperative that we stay the course and rebuild Iraq and Afghanistan."
He also pledged to fight for elimination of the capital gains tax and other taxes.
Florida House Speaker Johnnie Byrd of Plant City, state Sen. Daniel Webster of the Orlando area, U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon of Palm Bay and Larry Klayman of Miami have also announced their candidacies for the 2004 GOP Senate nomination. U.S. Rep. Mark Foley of West Palm Beach dropped out this month.
Democrats running include former state Education Commissioner Betty Castor, U.S. Reps. Peter Deutsch of Pembroke Pines, Alcee Hastings of Miramar and Allen Boyd of Monticello, and Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas - all of whom say they will step aside if Graham drops out of the presidential race and seeks re-election to a fourth Senate term.
McCollum, 59, said he planned to raise more than the $10-million he netted in his unsuccessful Senate bid three years ago.
"We have the advantage in this race," he said, pointing to a recent Mason-Dixon poll showing that, among Republican candidates, he is the most well known.
Nelson defeated McCollum 51 percent to 46 percent in the last presidential election cycle.