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Legislative leaders hear calls to run for Senate

Allan Bense and Tom Lee are being urged to run for the U.S. seat Katherine Harris wants.

TALLAHASSEE - Republican Florida House Speaker Allan Bense said Thursday he has been encouraged by the White House and the governor to run for the U.S. Senate.

That would pit Bense against U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris, R-Sarasota, who some Republicans worry is too polarizing to defeat incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson.

Senate President Tom Lee said he also is being urged to run for the U.S. Senate seat. Lee said he hasn't been contacted by the White House but by Republicans who think Harris cannot defeat Nelson.

Bense and Lee have indicated in the past that they would not seek higher office when their terms end next year. Both said they also are considering running for chief financial officer, a Cabinet post being vacated by Tom Gallagher, a Republican candidate for governor.

Bense and Lee have become close friends during the past year and are credited with restoring civility to the Legislature. Their friendship makes it unlikely they would oppose each other, but they have not ruled it out.

Bense, speaking to the Capital Tiger Bay Club, said he also is just as likely to go home when his term ends.

"I have spoken to someone in the White House, I will tell you that," Bense said of the Senate race.

Gov. Jeb Bush said he first spoke to Bense about the Senate last month, before Harris entered the race. He said his encouragement has nothing to do with her.

"He'd be an awesome candidate if he decides to run, he's been a spectacular speaker," Bush said. No Republican has officially entered the race, Bush said, "and we need one."

Harris said she welcomed the competition. "I'm in the race and I am looking forward to a spirited campaign," Harris said in a statement.

Lee said several groups that have done polling in Florida approached him.

"We find ourselves with a surprisingly thin bench of elected officials positioned to take their careers to a statewide level," Lee said.

The people urging them to run have different motives, Lee said, but "the stars don't line up like this very often, so we have to take a serious look at it."

Bense said more than once Thursday that he is concerned that running for office in 2006 could jeopardize his last House session.

He said he doesn't want to put the House in the same position it was in a year ago when then-Speaker Johnnie Byrd sought the Republican U.S. Senate nomination that Mel Martinez won. Byrd was widely criticized for using his position to coerce campaign contributions from lobbyists.

"My worry is if I look at something else, that I would abandon my members," Bense said. "I love being speaker."

Harris announced last week that she will challenge Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson. She plans to formally enter the race next month.

Harris, whose key role in the 2000 presidential recount as secretary of state made her a national figure, is expected to be hard to beat in a GOP primary.

A spokesman for Nelson said he expects a tough race no matter who the opponent is.

"The National Republican Party has said it wants to own Florida," said spokesman Dan McLaughlin. "Whether its Allan Bense or Katherine Harris, they'll be adequately funded."

Staff writer Anita Kumar contributed to this report.