KISSIMMEE, Fla.-
Days after President Bush flew into the state and complimented U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris, the congresswoman got some more love–this time from GOP activists at a rally Saturday.
It was one of the bright spots for Harris, whom party leaders had previously tried to force out of the U.S. Senate race before she won the GOP primary. She will face Democrat incumbent Bill Nelson in the November election.
State party Chair Carole Jean Jordan called Harris a hero, a term many Republicans used after Harris, as secretary of state in 2000, oversaw Bush’s disputed 537-vote victory.
“Katherine has overcome tough times. She’s a gutsy lady and we love her,” said Jordan, who tried to get Harris out of the race before the primary.
The women hugged before Harris spoke.
“You have honored me. This race is not about me, it’s about you,” Harris said. “It’s about each and every one of you and the citizens of Florida who deserve far more representation than what Bill Nelson has done. He’s squandered these last six years in the United States Senate.”
Nelson campaign spokesman Bryan Gulley said Harris was making “unfounded and wild charges.”
“The fact is Bill Nelson is one of the most accomplished and successful freshman senators–with some 40 pieces of legislation to his credit,” he said. “And he’s been instrumental in keeping the oil companies away from the state’s coast.”
Before Harris won the primary with less than half the vote in a four-way race, Republican leaders in Tallahassee and Washington tried to find a candidate who could defeat her. Gov. Jeb Bush openly said she couldn’t win the November general election, and Jordan wrote to her saying the same.
Harris is trailing Nelson by more than 30 points in the polls and by millions of dollars in campaign contributions. She has been tied to a corrupt defense contractor, given embarrassing television interviews and seen top members of her staff quit in frustration.
Also at the rally, Charlie Crist, Florida’s Attorney General, took a couple of light shots at his opponent in the closely watched governor’s race. Crist drew laughs as he poked fun at Democrat Rep. Jim Davis for having the second-to-worst attendance record for votes in the House while running for governor.
“I’m going to work as hard as I can. I love to work, unlike my opponent,” Crist said. “I love to show up for work.”
Davis spokesman Josh Earnest said Davis “will work to make things better for Florida families.”
“Who’s he been working for? He hasn’t worked to lower property taxes,” he said of Crist. “He hasn’t worked to improve schools. He hasn’t worked to address the property insurance crisis.”
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