As many of you have probably already heard, U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris (R-Fla.) hinted last week that she may run for the U.S. Senate now that Bob Graham has announced that he will not seek re-election.
“I’m still testing our temperature,” Harris told reporters, calling it a tough choice for her and her family. “My husband and I will seriously consider this and give it some thought.”
Florida Democrats are understandably torn about this. Harris gained national notoriety with her role in helping Bush steal Florida’s electoral votes in the 2000 election. She parlayed that controversy into a successful run for Congress in 2002, enjoying political contributions from Republicans across the country, a sign of their appreciation for manipulating the election process and abusing her role as Florida’s Secretary of State.
With this in mind, Harris is a GOP villain that Democrats relish.
That said, I suspect that should Harris decide to formally enter the race, she’d likely succeed in the GOP primaries. In fact, I already consider her the frontrunner among the Republican field.
When Graham announced that he would not run again, Republicans, at least at first, were euphoric. The party saw yet another Democratic Southern incumbent who was retiring, which in turn would create an opportunity for a GOP pickup.
That excitement waned shortly thereafter when the state and national GOP realized they didn’t have any strong candidates. As of now, the Republican field includes two members of the state legislature, a county commissioner from the Tampa area, a nutty Washington-based lawyer, and a former House member who already lost a Senate race in 2000. Not exactly a field of candidates to jump up and down about if you’re a Republican.
Harris can (and probably will) step in as the candidate with the highest name recognition, the strongest party support, and the best ability to raise lots of money.
Last week, uber-pundit/professor Larry Sabato told reporters that Harris would be too “polarizing” to have a serious campaign. I disagree. The point isn’t that Harris is polarizing — she clearly is — but that Florida Republicans won’t care.
In 2000, Bob McCollum (R) ran for the Senate as a very conservative Republican best known for being one of the House “managers” responsible for the Clinton impeachment trial. Polarizing? You bet. Yet, the state GOP rallied behind him and he cruised to the nomination for the Senate campaign. Of course, he lost badly, but I don’t think the state party learned any lessons from the ordeal.
Indeed, last week Harris said she’s being urged to run by party loyalists statewide.
“It’s been a little overwhelming,” Harris said. “We’re getting phone calls from all over the state, ringing off the hook. Everyone is telling me that I’m the only moderate, electable candidate.”
This is exactly why Florida Dems hardly know whether to laugh or cry at Harris’ potential candidacy. On the one hand, they’re disgusted by Harris’ exploitation of her near-criminal activities in the 2000 recount debacle and hate to see her gain even more notoriety. On the other hand, her status as a polarizing figure can (and probably will) energize Democrats, boost turnout, and help the eventual Democratic Senate candidate win. I hope.