Florida Rep. Kendrick Meek eyes Senate seat
ST. GEORGE ISLAND (AP) – If former Gov. Jeb Bush decides to run for U.S. Senate, he could find himself facing an old foe.
U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek has been traveling the state meeting with Democratic strategists about the idea of running for the seat Republican Sen. Mel Martinez is giving up in 2010. Bush is also considering a run, and would likely grab the Republican nomination if he does.
A potential Meek-versus-Bush matchup would come packed with history: As a state senator, Meek staged a sit-in protest in Bush’s office complex after the governor stripped affirmative action protections from state contracting and university admissions.
Meek also led the effort to place class size limits in the state constitution – a campaign Bush vigorously fought as he sought re-election in 2002 and later tried, but failed, to repeal.
Plainly put: Bush and Meek aren’t too fond of each other, a fact that would ratchet up the intensity of a Senate matchup.
“He has stood up to Jeb Bush before when it wasn’t easy, when folks told him there was no way you’re going to pass the class size amendment,” said Ana Cruz, a Tampa-based political consultant whom Meek met with recently. “Kendrick is not afraid of Jeb Bush nor has he been afraid of the Bushes period.”
Meek, 42, isn’t hiding the fact that he’s interested in the seat, but running comes at the risk of giving up a House seat where he’s quickly gained influence. He is the only Florida congressman on the powerful Ways and Means Committee and he has a strong relationship with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other leaders.
Meek, at Pelosi’s request, has led the “30 Something Working Group,” which uses creative ways to deliver policy messages to younger voters. He is beginning his fourth term in Congress next month and serves in the Miami-area seat his mother, Carrie Meek, held for 10 years.
But an open Senate seat is enticing, and Meek is not intimidated by the idea of facing Bush, who left office with a 57 percent approval rating, according to a Quinnipiac University poll taken during his final month in office.
“I really don’t have time for intimidation or fear,” Meek said.
Meek noted that in a recent interview, Bush said Republicans need to set up a shadow government in Washington to challenge Democrats and rebuild the GOP’s message. Meek said that’s not what a senator should be doing.
“I don’t think Floridians are looking for that. They’re looking for a U.S. senator to help them with their everyday lives,” Meek said. “I wouldn’t run to be the flag bearer, running with the flag of the Democratic Party. I would be running for Floridians.”
While Jeb Bush was popular when he left office, Meek said times have changed and people believe they have been hurt by economic policies supported by him and his brother, President George W. Bush.
“Barack Obama came through the state of Florida with a message of change and that message resonated with a number of Floridians – independents, Democrats, Republicans, first-time voters – and I believe that message will continue into the 2010 elections,” Meek said. “If you look at my past, it’s always been on the side of the everyday person here in Florida, no matter what their background.”
While no one has announced they will run for Martinez’ seat, other Democrats considering a run include state Sen. Dan Gelber and U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd. Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and U.S. Rep. Ron Klein are also mentioned by political insiders as potential Democratic candidates.