Mack to make U.S. Senate bid

NAPLES, Fla., Nov. 29 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Connie Mack IV, R-Fla., announced he will run against U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson to try to win the seat his father once held.

Mack, son of former U.S. Sen. Connie Mack III, made his first public promise to enter the race Monday during an appearance on the Fox News network about a month after his staff leaked, then confirmed, his candidacy, the Orlando Sentinel reported Monday.

Recent polls indicate Mack, of Naples, was the GOP front-runner before he announced. Other GOP hopefuls include former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, former Florida House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, and businessmen Craig Miller and Mike McCalister.

"Frankly, I think the people of Florida have had enough," Mack said during the Fox appearance. "They've had enough of every time they turn around, Sen. Bill Nelson is helping Barack Obama, right by [President] Obama's side."

Connie Mack III, grandson of the Baseball Hall of Fame team owner and manager, represented Florida in the U.S. Senate for 12 years, and was succeeded by Nelson after retiring in 2001.