TALLAHASSEE - It was supposed to be his farewell speech as a state senator. But for Dan Webster, it sounded more like his withdrawal from the U.S. Senate race.
"Keep my seat warm," Webster told fellow senators Friday. "I might be back."
Webster, R-Winter Garden, is one of seven Republicans seeking the nomination for the U.S. Senate seat Bob Graham is vacating. But his poll numbers are in the low single digits and he has struggled to raise money.
With the weeklong candidate filing period beginning Monday, it was clear he is thinking of staying in the Legislature.
"Just to be quite honest, I'm sort of in between," Webster told senators. He quoted a biblical passage from Paul: "having a desire to depart, nevertheless to stay."
Senators tried to help Webster make up his mind. For an hour and a half, both conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats gave glowing tributes to the suburban Orlando lawmaker, who became the first Republican House speaker in more than a century in 1996.
"We need you here, sir," said Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, who lives with Webster and a third senator during legislative sessions.
Lobbyist Sandy Mortham predicted Webster will stay put.
"I think it's good for Florida," Mortham said. "We don't need to lose him in the legislative process. He has so much to offer."
- Times staff writers Joni James and Lucy Morgan contributed to this report.
