With Friday’s noon deadline approaching for federal candidates to qualify for the 2010 ballot, former Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney — booted from office after a 2008 sex scandal — says he’s still pondering a run for his old seat against freshman U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta.

Rooney beat Mahoney in 2008 after Mahoney admitted to “multiple” extramarital affairs, including one with a woman who had been on his campaign and congressional payrolls. Mahoney, now divorced, says he takes full responsibility for his past conduct.

Since Democrat Chris Craft quit the race in March, Rooney has been without a serious challenge. No-party candidate Jim Horn qualified for the ballot this week. Perennial candidate Stan Smilan qualified Monday as a Democrat, but withdrew today, according to the state Division of Elections.

“I am considering it. I’ve got to make a decision in the next 24 to 36 hours,” Mahoney said this evening. “At the end of the day, I think the district deserves competition.”

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 27th, 2010 at 6:52 pm and is filed under 2010 campaigns, George Bennett, Tim Mahoney, Tom Rooney. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.