Kendrick Meek endorses Alex Penelas in Senate race
By Associated Press
Published January 13, 2004
MIAMI - U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek endorsed Alex Penelas for the U.S. Senate on Monday, saying the Miami-Dade County mayor could reach out to the parents of school-age children and the state's growing Hispanic community.
Meek, a Miami Democrat who led the successful charge to put class size limits in the state Constitution, said Penelas shared his allegiance to education issues and would attract "level-minded moderates" and Hispanics.
"Hispanics will have a strong option of someone who has stood strong on behalf of fairness and equity," said Meek, an influential black leader in South Florida.
Penelas also led an education initiative in 2002, pushing for universal prekindergarten for all 4-year-olds starting in 2005.
Last week, rival Democratic Senate candidate U.S. Rep. Peter Deutsch picked up the support of another influential black South Florida congressman, U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings of Miramar.
Penelas and Deutsch face former state Education Commissioner Betty Castor in the Democratic primary.
The Republican field includes former U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum of Longwood, state Sen. Dan Webster of Winter Garden, House Speaker Johnnie Byrd of Plant City, former U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez of Orlando, Miami lawyer Larry Klayman and former New Hampshire Sen. Bob Smith of Sarasota. Republican U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris of Sarasota is considering the race.
Klayman said Monday his campaign has raised more than $500,000 in the last three months.
McCollum has raised nearly $2-million and Byrd more than $1.6-million through the end of the year. Their three-month totals were almost $524,000 and more than $770,000, respectively.
Last week Deutsch said he raised about $800,000 during the final quarter, raising his total to $4-million. Penelas brought in nearly $400,000 during the quarter, increasing his total to about $2-million. Castor is expected to release her totals this week.
