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Bush voices concern about Harris

But the governor won't say whether he'd like to see a different Republican candidate in the Senate race.

By ADAM C. SMITH
Published April 7, 2006

Gov. Jeb Bush on Thursday added his voice to those of Republicans from Tallahassee to Washington, worried that Katherine Harris' chaotic Senate campaign could damage their party.

"I am the party leader. I've got concerns," Bush told reporters. "The campaign can't be about her. It's got to be about Bill Nelson and the future of our state. ... She asked my advice, I gave her that exact advice, and it's gotten worse since."

Asked if he'd like to see another candidate get in the race, Bush said: "I'm not saying anything. I'm giving you a candid opinion of where the race is today. It can be turned around."

Hours later, the Harris campaign e-mailed an announcement headlined,"Harris Agrees With Governor."

"The governor is correct, this campaign can be turned around, in fact, it has been turned around, and our sights are set on November," the statement said.

The Longboat Key Republican's campaign to unseat Democratic Sen. Nelson has been something of a political circus in recent weeks, with revelations that in 2004 she received illegal campaign contributions from a defense contractor now at the center of a bribery scandal; her vowing on national television to spend $10-million of her own money on the race; campaign advisers publicly declaring her campaign hopeless; and last week her entire senior campaign team quitting. She named a new campaign team this week.

"We have recently taken three critical steps to drive this campaign forward and to make this a referendum about Bill Nelson and his liberal voting record. We have hired an experienced political team. We have infused our campaign with the initial necessary financial resources. And we are working to unite the party behind us," Harris said in her statement.

"We look forward to the support of our national party leaders, are appreciative of the wise counsel of the governor, and most importantly are committed to our grass roots, whose continued support will usher in our victory in November."

Republican leaders long skeptical of her chances had finally started to embrace her candidacy a few months ago, but now are increasingly worried her campaign could hurt other Republicans on the ballot. The filing deadline for the state primary is May 12, and Harris' troubles have renewed speculation about whether she could be forced to drop out of the race or whether another Republican might get in.

Harris has given no hint she might pull out, however, and just put $3-million of her own money in her campaign. The person many Republicans see as the most likely last-minute candidate, state House Speaker Allan Bense of Panama City, has signaled he might jump in if Harris drops out, but has repeatedly said he won't challenge Harris in a primary.

"I support Katherine," Bense said. "She's a hard worker. She's a very good campaigner. And I wish her the best. When we're done with the session, I'll do all I can to help her."

A spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Brian Nick, also brushed off the suggestion that the committee might renew its recruitment of alternative candidates. "We are not looking for another candidate," he said. "Nor have we been."

--Staff writers Steve Bousquet and Alex Leary contributed to this report. Adam C. Smith can be reached at 727 893-8241 or adam@sptimes.com

[Last modified April 7, 2006, 06:10:52]