Florida Senate 2018

[edtorres04]

With Putnam running for governor and Atwater not running for anything, who would be the strongest candidate to go against very popular Senator Bill Nelson?  For a state that republicans control everything, they have a very weak bench.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Definitely DeSantis. Curbello doesn't have any statewide presence. He's unknown outside his district and D.C.

[SATW]

I used to be a big fan of Rick Scott, but have mellowed on him a lot. If he runs, obviously I'd root for him, but I don't see him winning. He has the name rec, but very slim electoral victories in statewide races.

(I also don't really have any issues with Bill Nelson, tbh, but I wouldn't support Nelson)

Carlos Curbelo would be my preferred candidate on every single issue, but like Chairman said, I don't think he has any statewide rep. I only know of Curbelo because some of the Rubio pres campaign staffers I knew helped him with his re-election campaign.

Ron DeSantis would be pretty great, too, even if he's a bit too conservative for my tastes.

I love Brian Mast, but he just got elected to Congress. Let's chill on the 1st termers running for sen.

Don't know anything about Flores, so no comment.

I hope Carlos Lopez-Cantera runs for something next year, or gets to keep Lt. Gov somehow.
I also like Lizbeth Benacquisto, does she have future in FL politics or did her congressional primary loss to HP Curt Clawson hurt her?

[edtorres04]

I agree with you on first termers, but keep in mind that Cotton and Daines were first termers.  Mast has a very inspiring and unique story. 

[Xing]

While Curbelo is untested at a statewide level, I think he'd stand the best chance of winning over at least some voters that have backed Nelson in the past. Scott would have a pretty high floor, but his 1% victories in 2010 and 2014 make me skeptical that he could beat an incumbent in a year that will probably be at least a little less favorable to Republicans. He also has more baggage than Curbelo, which could hurt him.

[Heisenberg]

Scott or DeSantis. I voted the latter as he doesn't have the baggage that Scott does, although the field should be cleared. I hate ugly primary battles. Both do have a lot of recognition, and both can raise a lot of money. I somehow get the feeling that many people (particularly Whites in North and Central Florida who have previously backed Nelson) won't like the idea of the Miami Cuban Machine holding both of the State's Senate seats, but I could be wrong.

[SATW]

I agree with you on first termers, but keep in mind that Cotton and Daines were first termers.  Mast has a very inspiring and unique story.  

Cotton and Daines had the advantage of running in ruby red states in a six year itch election. Mast would have neither of those advantages, and he'd be dumb to piss away his promising career on a long shot Senate race. Curbelo is more understandable because there's a fair chance he could lose his House seat anyways.

ProspectiveNavyman is correct. People like Cotton, Daines and Sam Brownback (1996 after Dole resigned to focus his time on Pres race) all came from solid republican states, but more importantly, very small states in population.

Daines was an at-large representative, Cotton represented a part of Arkansas that only recently became GOP-dominated, so that helped him solidify his base when he ran for Senate.

Mast is awesome (heard him speak at a dinner in D.C.) and represents a swingy seat, but the problem is that seat has no influence. I mean, look at Murphy, represented the same seat. Mast needs to build a solid resume in the house first for a few terms.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

I agree with you on first termers, but keep in mind that Cotton and Daines were first termers.  Mast has a very inspiring and unique story. 

He's too mellow a guy to be a first term barn-burner. He's got a ton of potential but will more or less be the Treasure Coast's answer to Curbello for a while before he features more prominently. I wouldn't discount him seeking a promotion at some point, but 2018 is DeSantis's best shot.

[peterthlee]

Scott, as he is two-term governor and experienced to win in battleground races. However, he will still be defeated by a margin of 8-12 points should Nelson run.

[Kingpoleon]

Ileana Ros-Lehtinehen. Realistically? Carlos Curbelo or Carlos Gimenez.

[Mr. Smith]

Is David Jolly not trying again?

[MT Treasurer]

Even without announcement, Rick Scott runs for Senate

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[TheSaint250]

^ He's probably the best chance for taking Nelson's seat, but he's too easy to attack, Imo.  Nelson is also pretty entrenched.  Scott won't be Connie Mack IV bad, but at this point, I think he might lose.  He has pulled out close victories in the past though and he might be able to again.

The best chance of winning is Rubio resigning and then running for Nelson's seat

[Donerail]

RE: earlier speculation, DeSantis is running for Governor and Jolly is (maybe) running for FL-13. Scott will not face a significant primary challenge.

[TheSaint250]

Did DeSantis just announce?

[Donerail]

Did DeSantis just announce?

No but like, he's running, in the same sense Corcoran and Latvala and Levine are all running.

[TheSaint250]

Did DeSantis just announce?

No but like, he's running, in the same sense Corcoran and Latvala and Levine are all running.

oh ok

[henster]

Just play the clip of Scott pleading the 5th over and over again, Nelson has a lot more respect than Crist.

[RC (a la Frémont)]

I'm sorry, but I'm resigned to JEB!!!!!!!!!

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Don't bother bringing Jeb up. Jeb is over. Done. Finished. Over the hill. Gone forever. Put a electoral silver stake in his heart.

[I’m not Stu]

Does Rick Scott run?

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Does Rick Scott run?

100%. I'd bet my left nut on it I'm so confident.

[TheSaint250]

Well, apparently Roger Stone may run.

https://mobile.twitter.com/RogerJStoneJr/status/908407550168592386

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Well, apparently Roger Stone may run.

https://mobile.twitter.com/RogerJStoneJr/status/908407550168592386

He's being paid to say that, but no idea by who. I'd eat my MAGA hat if he runs, but unfortunately I lost it.

[GeorgiaModerate]

Well, apparently Roger Stone may run.

https://mobile.twitter.com/RogerJStoneJr/status/908407550168592386

He's being paid to say that, but no idea by who. I'd eat my MAGA hat if he runs, but unfortunately I lost it.

You could try contacting Russian Intelligence and ask them to activate the locator.