FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., June 20 (UPI) -- George LeMieux announced in a video to supporters Wednesday he has dropped out of the race for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat in Florida.
Citing U.S. Rep. Connie Mack's advantage in name recognition, and Mack's refusal to debate, Lemieux said "It's not my nature to drop out, but our message cannot be heard," adding, "Connie Mack will be our nominee. He has my support."
He added his decision will offer the Republican Party a better opportunity to defeat Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson in November.
LeMieux served as chief of staff to former Gov. Charlie Crist, who appointed him in 2009 to finish out the term of U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, who resigned.
Heading toward the Aug. 14 primary, the former chairman of the Broward County Republicans had been winning informal straw polls and was billing himself as the candidate most aligned with the Tea Party movement, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Wednesday.
