http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/loca... TAMPA - Polls of potential voters in the race for Florida's U.S. Senate seat put former Florida House speaker Marco Rubio in the lead, followed closely by Governor Charlie Crist.
In third place is Congressman Kendrick Meek, a lesser known politician fighting for the Democratic nomination.
Meek is the candidate for U.S. Senate that voters perhaps hear the least about.
"Put it this way -- I've played the David role before, when you talk about David and Goliath. And I'm actually enjoying this campaign," Meek said.
Meek, who is from South Florida, is running the race of his political life for a seat he says is his.
On WMNF public radio Thursday, the Democrat took questions live, covering the big issues.
"Unemployment compensation for almost 200,000 Floridians is being held hostage," he said, speaking about one of the state's most pressing issues.
The pool of U.S. Senate hopefuls goes like this:
Governor Crist, the former Republican turned Independent.
Republican Rubio, capable of turning poll numbers upside down.
Democrat Jeff Greene, the billionaire real estate tycoon.
And Representative Meek, a candidate with credentials, but no headline-grabbing dramas that make the news every night.
"There wasn't a lot of attention paid to his campaign because there wasn't the kind of drama that we had with Rubio and Crist on the Republican side," said Dr. Scott Paine a political analyst at the University of Tampa.
On the Democratic side, Jeff Greene and celebrity pal Lindsay Lohan shared the headlines. And, of course, Greene's green is a talker. Meek comes out swinging on that one.
"Floridians went to bed praying they would keep the equity in their home or keep their home. Jeff Greene was praying that they lose their homes so he could prosper," said Meek.
Forty-three-year-old Meek says he's not intimidated by the money or the big names. Qualifying for the ballot by petition rather than large check, Meek prides his campaign on its grassroots beginnings. He says he's the only consistent candidate, and the one who will fight for the middle class.
Meek says "yes" to extending unemployment benefits, and "no" to offshore drilling. He's for the Cuban embargo and against the notion that being black makes winning in Florida more difficult.
"Women and minorities have won statewide before. I don't think there will be an exception because I'm running this time around," said Meek.
Meek is the son of former Congressman Carrie Meek, who retired from the U.S. House in 2002.
Posted By: Kendrick Meek
Monday, July 12th 2010 at 4:30PM
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