Miami-Dade mayor plans Senate run

Alex Penelas said he'll file to start raising funds for his campaign to fill U.S. Sen. Bob Graham's seat, but he's calling it quits if Graham decides to seek re-election.

©Associated Press
March 2, 2003

MIAMI -- Miami-Dade County Mayor Alex Penelas said he will file papers next month to begin raising money to run for U.S. Sen. Bob Graham's seat.

But after announcing his plans Friday, Penelas said he would withdraw from the campaign if Graham, a fellow Democrat, decides to drop out of the presidential race and run for re-election. Graham filed papers this week to seek the Democratic presidential nomination.

Penelas, who previously said he was considering a run for Graham's seat, said he would file the papers April 2. That would allow him to begin raising money at as much as $2,000 a donor for a Democratic primary campaign that may cost him millions of dollars.

Penelas said he has spoken with dozens of potential supporters in recent weeks but acknowledges he needs to do more.

"I have to make myself known in other areas where I'm not known," he said. "But that's what a campaign is for, that's why one raises funds, and that's why one gets organized."

Penelas was first elected county mayor in 1996. His current term ends in 2004. Under his tenure, the county's crime rate has fallen to a 25-year low while the county's job growth has led the state.

Before the fall election, Penelas successfully led the drive for statewide passage of a constitutional amendment that requires lawmakers to offer prekindergarten services to all 4-year-olds.

But he was the target of criticism from many non-Cubans in 2000 because of his position on the Elian Gonzalez custody battle. At one point in the seven-month saga, the Cuban-American defiantly announced his police department would not assist federal agents if they attempted to take Elian from his Miami family.

Penelas will also face heavy competition within his own party for the nomination. U.S. Rep. Peter Deutsch of Pembroke Pines has already collected more than $2-million for a possible campaign.

Other Democrats considered possible candidates are U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings of Miramar, state Sen. Walter "Skip" Campbell of Tamarac, former EPA Administrator Carol Browner and former state Sen. Daryl Jones of Miami.

On the Republican side, two men have declared their intent to run for Graham's seat: U.S. Rep. Mark Foley, a five-term Congressman who represents a Palm Beach County-based district, and former U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum of Orlando, who lost the 2000 Senate race to Bill Nelson.

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