State: Jennings plumbs capital for U.S. Senate race

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Jennings plumbs capital for U.S. Senate race

The state Senate president huddles with consultants and pollsters as she ponders a race for Connie Mack's seat.

By KATHERINE PFLEGER and BILL ADAIR

WASHINGTON -- On stage, state Senate President Toni Jennings told the Republican Women Leaders Forum on Tuesday how Florida Republicans win elections.

Off stage, the Orlando Republican was holding meetings around the nation's capital to see what her own chances would be in a campaign for Florida's open U.S. Senate seat. Jennings thinks she has a competitive edge to succeed retiring Republican Sen. Connie Mack: She is a woman.

"It doesn't take Einstein to know that pollsters all look at Florida and (see) the Republican Party is still having difficulty keeping women voters," she said.

Jennings arrived in Washington on Monday night and had several meetings Tuesday with political consultants, pollsters and Mack before departing early today. She also made a speech to the Republican women's forum, extolling the virtues of hard work and staying "focused on the message."

"We tell (voters) what we are going to do, and we do what we say," Jennings said to applause.

As for her own plans, however, she said she does not know when, or whether, she will decide to run.

"I'll know when I know," said Jennings, who must give up her state Senate seat in 2000 because of term limits.

If she does get in the race, Jennings would anticipate a primary challenge from U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum, R-Longwood, who announced his candidacy last week. Education Commissioner Tom Gallagher also has formed an exploratory committee.

Both candidates have been raising money, garnering support and hiring staffs for what will be a multimillion-dollar race.

As a result, Jennings does feel some pressure. Plus, she said, potential supporters are awaiting her decision "and it's not fair, if I am not going to move forward, to hold them out there for a while."

Though Jennings said she will not base her candidacy on her gender, she said public opinion shows voters like women politicians because of the "trust factor."

"If I decide to run, it will because I think that a woman candidate might be a better opponent for what potentially looks like the Democratic candidate . . . Bill Nelson," she said.

Nelson, the state insurance commissioner, is a strong favorite to get the Democratic Party nomination. Two of his strongest Democratic challengers appear likely to get out of the race.

Rep. Peter Deutsch of Fort Lauderdale said Tuesday that he is "leaning against" running for the party's nomination. He plans to make an announcement Friday.

In an interview Tuesday, Deutsch said it would be difficult to beat Nelson with his experience in three statewide elections. Running for a statewide office in Florida is difficult because the state has 11 media markets.

"Florida is just so big," Deutsch said. Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Boca Raton, plans to announce next week whether he will run. He appears to be leaning against running, but a spokesman said a decision had not been made.

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