Katherine Harris's Troubled Senate Campaign

Strategic Insights -

Katherine Harris's bid for the U.S. Senate has been marred by controversy, and recent polls suggest that most Republican voters are looking for an alternative. A new Times opinion poll shows Harris's support at only 28 percent, just weeks away from the September 5 primary. Meanwhile, LeRoy Collins Jr., one of the three men challenging Harris, has emerged as a credible and attractive option. Collins, a 71-year-old Navy veteran and fifth-generation Floridian, has been endorsed by prominent Republican statesmen and has a strong record of leadership.

Key Takeaways:

  • Harris's campaign has lost 25 staffers and has had three campaign managers, with national fundraiser Anne Dunsmore stating that Harris is "her own worst enemy."
  • Harris has been accused of having a relationship with defense contractor Mitchell Wade, who has pleaded guilty to bribery and election fraud, and has refused to fully explain her involvement with him.
  • Collins, on the other hand, has a distinguished military and business career, having spent 34 years in the military and retired as a two-star admiral.
  • Collins has been endorsed by former Attorney General Jim Smith and former Comptroller Bob Milligan, and has a strong record of leadership.
  • In contrast, Harris has a history of controversy, including her role as Florida secretary of state in the 2000 election recount, which was so procedurally flawed that the U.S. Supreme Court had to decide the outcome.
  • Harris is 35 points down in poll matchups with Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson, and has become a caricature of herself.

Statistics:

  • 28%: The percentage of Republican voters supporting Harris in a recent Times opinion poll.
  • 25: The number of staffers who have left Harris's campaign.
  • 34: The number of years Collins spent in the military.
  • 71: The age of LeRoy Collins, Jr.
  • 32,000: The amount of money Mitchell Wade admitted to giving Harris in illegal contributions.
  • 10 million: The amount of money Harris sought in a contract for Wade's company.

Sources:

  • "A New Choice in the U.S. Senate Primary" by The Tampa Bay Times Editorial Board, August 20, 2023
  • "Katherine Harris's Troubled Senate Campaign" by The Tampa Bay Times Editorial Board, August 20, 2023
  • Uncredited opinion poll by The Tampa Bay Times (date not specified)