2012 Florida Senate Debates: on Principles & Values

Connie Mack IV: GOP debates only help Democrats

So Mack has turned down invitations from The Orlando Sentinel and The Tampa Bay Times to participate in debates with GOP rivals George LeMieux, Mike McCalister and David Weldon. And Mack has effectively said no to an invitation from Leadership Florida to participate in a July 24 Republican primary debate in Tallahassee.

"We are prepared and willing to debate Sen. Nelson and feel that at this point any such Republican primary debate exercise would only serve to benefit Sen. Nelson, which no Republican wants to see," a Mack spokesman said.

Connie Mack IV: Son of Senator; husband of Congresswoman

Now many years later, his son serves in Congress and seeks the opportunity to take on incumbent Democrat Sen. Bill Nelson in November. Rep. Connie Mack IV has been endorsed by the head of the official third party organization, branded the "Tea Party." His wife is a fellow member of Congress, Mary Bono Mack, who came to Congress after the untimely death of her late husband, Sonny Bono. Sonny was a very kind and gentle person. It looks like this race in Florida, unless something fires it up, might be as mellow as was Sonny.

George LeMieux: Kept his promise not run for re-election after appointment