by Javier Manjarres
Florida Senate President and former U.S. Senate candidate Mike Haridopolos has decided that he will not be supporting Hasner in the 2012 U.S. Senate race. Haridopolos announced last week that he would no longer be a candidate for Senate in 2012.
In a recent phone conversation I had with Haridopolos, he indicated to me that there is the possibility of “someone else” getting into the race, and named Congressman Allen West as a possible candidate that would be a very strong contender as well as Congressman Tom Rooney.
Haridopolos believes that Hasner was too critical of him during his first term as Senate President, especially in regards to the E-Verify measure that failed to pass in the Senate under his watch. Haridopolos stated that Hasner “had an opportunity for 8 years to get something done on illegal immigration.” However, Hasner did help push an E-Verify measure- HB 219 in the 2010 Legislative session, which was sponsored by Congresswoman Sandy Adams, but eventually failed to pass.
Haridopolos was warned by many in the pro-legal immigration lobby that this issue was too important to ignore, and if he did not pass an E-Verify bill in the Senate, his U.S. Senate race candidacy would be over. Haridopolos ultimately voted for the E-Verify measure, but the bill still failed to pass in the state Senate, prompting critics to complain that he did not do enough to ensure the passage of the bill.
At the end of the day, Haridopolos left the race on his own accord. The fact that he was the only active legislator in the primary race at the time meant that his legislative session needed to be a near flawless performance if he was going to garner strong primary support from conservatives. While the session had many successes, the failure of the immigration bill was too much for Haridopolos to overcome. That said, Mike Haridopolos still has a bright future in politics should he at some point after 2012 decide he is still interested in running for higher office.
But now, the question remains- if Haridopolos will not support Hasner, will he throw his support behind Senator George LeMieux or perhaps some other candidate, or will he stay out of the race entirely?
12 Responses to “Haridopolos Will Not Support Hasner, Will He Now Support LeMieux?”
I’ll bet it was Pepe Le Pew who pressured Haridopolos to drop out in the first place.
So one RINO endorses another? what a shock!
President Haridopolos is a good man and he is doing a great job as our Senate President alongside Governor Scott. I agree with you Javier, he has a bright future ahead.
IF HE IS AGAINST HASNER THEN I AM FOR HASNER! Seriously, Hari, you’re a closet liberal in your deeds and actions so the truth is that showing ANY preference for one person over another is detrimental to the person you would supposedly support. DO EVERYONE A FAVOR AND KEEP YOUR BIG MOUTH SHUT.
Anyone who would support George LeMieux would be a fool because it is obvious he cannot win a Republican primary. The day a RINO would win because the establishment wanted it is over. Conservatives have taken over the primary process even if we don’t yet control the RPOF.
Haridopolos would be ending his career if he threw a temper tantrum and supported Lemieux which is why he is trying to encourage a true conservative like Rep West to enter the West. While Hasner has positioned himself as a conservative with his votes he is a politician at heart, and those activists who know his personally know this. He votes conservative because he knows that is the way to win elections (which makes him a reliable vote for us) but Col West is one of us and thats why West would beat Hasner in a primary. But Hasner will crush LeMieux who will be a vote for the establishment
Haridopolis needs to find a new job.. I will not support anyone he is supporting. He is a typical RINO. Shame on him. The only reason he is not running for the US Senate is he got word at how mad people are at him for not passing the e-verify bill !!!! Where was his leadership???? He sold us out. Shame on him. Shame on him…
We need to take a very close look at Col. Mike Mc Calister or Col Allen West… Real Conservative Republicans with strong conservative beliefs. They both would make very good US Senators…
Col McCalister is the real true conservative in the race for Senate. He is not from the political class in Tallahassee. We need to send someone to Washington with the right stuff to stand up to the pols there.
HASNER Majority leader that gave us REAL ID
HASNER Investigated for ethics violations
HASNER Killed E-Verify before he was for it
HASNER Earmarked $20 million to indicted developer
HASNER Mocked Dems for not supporting rail projects
HASNER co-Sponsored Cap-N-Trade
HASNER Created plan to use $200K in Stimulus for Hybrid Charging Stations
HASNER Advanced Agenda 21 Green Energy Legislation
HASNER Loves High Speed Rail. He voted for it.
HASNER Is weak on State’s Rights (See REAL ID)
HASNER Supported Sustainable Development (2008 Campaign Finance Records)
HASNER Taxed for tracks. Voted for Sunrail
HASNER Enjoyed status as self proclaimed MODERATE (Google It)
HASNER Raised fees on everything in Florida (Just go to the DMV)
This sounds like Rino for Rino’s.
We need to get behind Col Mike McCallister for US senate. He would be a great senator. Col West needs some help and Col McCallister would be a true conservative.
No one is a perfect candidate for all conservatives,but the primary must have a credible Constitutional conservative as the winner to replace Nelson. Hasner may be OK, McCallister is probably better but we have a year to vet the two.
No more Bushie’s Please!
No more LeMieux who had big government yes votes on “Financial Reform” and FDA Food Controls.
Haridopolos should be sent looking for a private sector job.
Suntan Charlie may raise his smarmy political head again too.
Hell no! McCalister is pro choice! Read his book…