LeMieux drops Senate bid, clearing way for Mack to face Nelson
by George Bennett | June 20th, 2012
Former appointed Sen. George LeMieux has ended his Republican primary bid for U.S. Senate, all but handing the nomination to his bitter rival, Rep. Connie Mack.
“To continue would only hurt our chances in the fall, and that is not something that I will risk. Connie Mack will be our nominee. He has my support,” LeMieux said this morning in a statement released by his campaign.
LeMieux has trailed badly in polls and has watched Mack score major endorsements, including from former Gov. Jeb Bush and presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney. Mack announced last week that he saw no reason to engage LeMieux and other candidates in GOP primary debates, saying those events would only help Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson.
“The establishment has thrown their support behind my competitor, Connie Mack. Ahead of us in the polls, the Mack name enjoys widespread recognition that can only be matched with substantial advertising or the opportunity to debate on statewide television. Advertising, which our finances cannot support, and debates, which my competitor won’t agree to,” LeMieux said.
“It is not my nature to step aside, but there is a reality to running a statewide race in Florida. Without the resources or the opportunity to debate, our message simply cannot be heard,” LeMieux said.
Read his full statement after the jump…
Statement from George LeMieux ending his Senate candidacy:
For 16 months I had the privilege of my life serving the people of Florida in the United States Senate. What I witnessed compelled me to return. Bloated government that keeps job creators from hiring and a government so far in debt that it will bankrupt this nation by the end of the decade if serious changes are not made.
We have campaigned on ideas, to balance the budget, to create jobs, to gain independence from foreign oil, and to improve our children’s education. And while our campaign has been strong, gaining support and winning straw polls, the decision has been made by party leadership that there is a better candidate to face Bill Nelson.
The establishment has thrown their support behind my competitor, Connie Mack. Ahead of us in the polls, the Mack name enjoys widespread recognition that can only be matched with substantial advertising or the opportunity to debate on statewide television.
Advertising, which our finances cannot support, and debates, which my competitor won’t agree to.
It is not my nature to step aside, but there is a reality to running a statewide race in Florida. Without the resources or the opportunity to debate, our message simply cannot be heard.
This campaign was never about me. It was about my four kids, and your kids and grand kids. And ensuring that they inherit an America with as much opportunity and prosperity as the America left to us.
As a former party chairman, I know that sometimes for the good of the party, and the good of the nation, a candidate has to bow out gracefully. In order to have the best chance to defeat Bill Nelson and put the Senate in Republican hands, today we will end our campaign.
To continue would only hurt our chances in the fall, and that is not something that I will risk. Connie Mack will be our nominee. He has my support.
Words cannot express how grateful I am for all of you that supported our endeavor. You have my friendship and eternal gratitude. To all of our supporters, 67 county chairs, the 35 state legislators that endorsed me, as well as the dozen of opinion leaders that lent their effort to our team, our finance team, and everyone who opened their homes and their hearts to me, thank you. I will always be grateful for your support.
For now, I will continue to fight for our candidates and our conservative values, and look forward to reengaging in my law practice at the Gunster Firm. And most importantly spending more time with my wife Meike, and our four children, Max, Taylor, Chase and Madeleine, or as I like to say—three monkeys and a princess.
2012 is the more important election of our lifetime. Please do everything you can to support our candidates. And from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
June 20th, 2012 at 10:20 am
Class move by a class guy.
There will be other battles to fight and the time will be right for George.
June 20th, 2012 at 11:01 am
Would the republicans in Palm Beach County please wake out and vote out Sid Dinerstein? Sid is a democat in bad clothes. Palm Beach County has few republicans running because Sid and his cronies get behind Dems! There is so young talent in PB but Sid refuses to reach out to them.
June 20th, 2012 at 11:30 am
As a regidtered Republcan since I have been able to vote (1951), I am again disappointed in our party. To allow
Mack to progress and convince
LeMieux to drop out is, in my opinion, WRONG! The fact that Mack has consistly refused to be a PUBLIC figure and has relied solely on his family influence is reprehensible in these “modern” times. The old smoking rooms activity behind the scenes stinks! Just what does Mack have to offer?? “Only The Shadow knows!
June 20th, 2012 at 11:40 am
No great loss. Nelson is going to beat Mack anyway. The GOP is in disarray. Hallelujah!
June 20th, 2012 at 12:10 pm
No great loss. Mack is going to beat Nelson anyway. The Socialist Demos are in disarray. Hallelujah!
More kool aid & Mao pamphlets for the sore losers and cheaters!
June 20th, 2012 at 1:10 pm
Mack is a complete FRAUD.
He sent me mailers celebrating his “Family Values” with a photo of him, his wife & 2 kids when he ran for Congress. He then went to DC, had affairs all over town, then started an adulterous affair with Sonny Bono’s widow. His wife and 2 kids were left without a father for 2 years, until she finally got fed up and divorced him. He responded by refusing to pay support and she ended up on foods stamps living in a 1-bedroom apartment in Lauderdale. Only after a judge forced him to have his wages garnished did he pay support.
Mack has done NOTHING for residents in his district. He spent 3 straight years of 100% if his off time in California with Bono, never even coming to Florida – until he decided to run for Senate.
Prior to running for Congress did he serve anywhere? No. He was a PR man & lobbyist for Hooters.
There is no comparison between him and Nelson – Nelson is a true American patriot – Mack is an over-privileged punk who once got beat up in an Atlanta bar by baseball player Ron Gant for running his mouth.
June 20th, 2012 at 1:14 pm
I am disappointed to see him drop out. He told Crist he wouldn’t run for Congress and actually kept his word. A class act, and in my opinion to good for Florida. Nelson voted for Obamacare so he automatically lost my vote.
June 20th, 2012 at 1:14 pm
I dropped my Republican affiliation and became a NPA. I was going to re-register as a Republican,just to vote in the Primary for LeMieux, because I can’t stand Connie Mack due to his do nothing time in the House and using his father’s reputation to try and get elected. Now I’ll remain NPA and vote for Nelson.
June 20th, 2012 at 1:37 pm
Figures that Sid Dinerstein, who says our Suppressor of Elections Susan Bucher is doing a “great job” would now suck to LeMieux. The PB GOP needs to wake up and get some new leadership. Or better yet, some ACTUAL leadership.
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