As Democrats get used to being in the minority in the U.S. House, two members from Florida were named to roles in the Democratic leadership.

Republicans in Florida are trying to make the November elections for state offices a referendum on President Barack Obama, betting that the Sunshine State’s continuing lagging economy and mounting discontent with the White House will pay heavy dividends when voters hit the polls.

Even though the 2010 elections are still being waged, speculation has already begun about which Republicans will look to challenge U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012. The venerable national opinion journal The New Republic ran a piece on energy bills in the Senate and offered an aside building up current U.S. Sen. George LeMieux possibly taking on Nelson. With his recent letter to Nelson on national issues, buzz is building that incoming Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, could also be looking at running for the U.S. Senate come 2012 ...