Nelson still tough to beat with Haridopolos out
Does Mike Haridopolos’ decision yesterday to quit the race for the U.S. Senate fundamentally change what the incumbent, Democrat Bill Nelson, can expect to face in the November 2012 general election?
Unlikely. Haridopolos and Adam Hasner were the leading contenders for the Republican nomination. Should Hasner win the nomination, Nelson in the general election would face one of the most conservative candidates to run for U.S. Senate in memory. Just as Nelson would have had Haridopolos run against him.
Hasner says he’d oppose all attempts to raise taxes. He wants a balanced budget amendment. He’d try repealing ”Obamacare.” He’d expand the nation’s use of coal and other fossil fuels. He’d advocate for congressional term limits. He’d oppose any “amnesty-like” proposals on immigration.
If Hasner wins the GOP nomination and goes on to beat the moderate Nelson, Florida, in Marco Rubio and Hasner, arguably would have the most conservative pair of senators in the nation.
As Florida would had Haridopolos made it that far.
But what also doesn’t change with Haridopolos out and Hasner now the front-runner among Republicans vying to face Nelson is this: Nelson will be extremely hard to beat.