Congressman Kendrick Meek of Miami plans to run for U.S. Senate
By Beth Reinhard
Miami Herald
January 13, 2009
Democratic U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek of Miami is planning to declare his bid for the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, becoming the first candidate to enter the race triggered by Republican Mel Martinez’s retirement in 2010.
Meek, 42, who succeeded his mother in Congress in 2002, would be Florida’s first black senator if he wins. If he loses, he will have given up a politically secure seat in Congress while his party is in control. Meek is also a close ally of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the only Florida Democrat on the influential Ways and Means Committee.
Some state voters may recognize Meek because of the legacy of his mother, Carrie Meek, and his leadership in 2002 on Florida’s constitutional amendment to limit class sizes. But he has never run statewide or faced a competitive race for Congress.
‘‘It is a lot to gamble on,’’ said political consultant Ana Cruz, who met with Meek on Monday in Tampa. ``I know this has been very personal decision.. . . Kendrick has never been one to shy away from a challenge.’’
Democrats considering a Senate bid include state Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, state Sen. Dan Gelber of Miami Beach and U.S. reps. Ron Klein of Boca Raton and Allen Boyd, whose district includes Panama City and Tallahassee. An arm of the Democratic Party and a fundraising group for female candidates, Emily’s List, are courting Sink.
‘‘I advise them to avoid a divisive primary because the ability to do that will be a major plus in the general election,’’ said former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, who has counseled Sink, Gelber and Meek.
With former Gov. Jeb Bush ruling out a Senate bid last week, interested Republicans include Attorney General Bill McCollum, former House Speaker Marco Rubio of Miami and U.S. reps. Connie Mack, whose district includes Fort Myers and Naples, and Vern Buchanan, whose district includes Sarasota and Bradenton.
One of Meek’s assets will be his friendship with former President Bill Clinton. Clinton, who was in Miami last week for a couple of fundraisers, offered what sounded like an endorsement.
‘‘He put his arm around Kendrick and said he hopes he runs and that he would do everything and anything he can do to help him get elected,’’ said Ana Navarro, a Republican lobbyist friendly with Meek. ``I’m not sure you’ve got a better surrogate in a Democratic primary in Florida than Bill Clinton.’‘