With two months to go until the primary, despite refusing to commit to an upcoming debate, U.S. Rep. Connie Mack is ahead of his Republican rivals in the polls and the GOP leadership is increasingly rallying behind the congressman to be their party’s choice to challenge Democrat incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in November.

On Wednesday, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi became the latest high-profile Republican to endorse Mack’s Senate bid.
 
"It is crucial that we elect strong and fiscally conservative leaders to the United States Senate, who will stand up to overreaching federal government power and out-of-control federal spending in Washington, D.C.,” Bondi said in a statement released on Wednesday morning. “During my service as Florida’s attorney general, and through our united efforts to fight the prescription drug epidemic in our state and nation, I have developed an incredible respect and personal friendship with both Connie and Mary Bono Mack, and I am pleased to offer Connie my endorsement and support of his campaign for U.S. Senate.”

Mack, for his part, praised Bondi for leading the charge in the state’s constitutional challenge to the federal health-care law that President Barack Obama signed back in 2010.

 “When Florida elected Pam Bondi they said ‘enough’ to Obamacare,” Mack said. “Her tireless work to undo the damage done to our country and our economy by Bill Nelson and Barack Obama makes all of us proud. General Bondi’s support of our campaign to change the U.S. Senate underscores the energy that is building in our effort, and I am deeply grateful."

While the Mack camp has not been shy in trumpeting the endorsements their candidate has garnered from national Republican leaders -- including presidential candidate Mitt Romney and tea party movement favorites in the Senate like Mike Lee of Utah and Rand Paul of Kentucky -- the Mack team has also picked up the support of some of the leading Republicans in the Sunshine State.

Former Gov. Jeb Bush has thrown his support to Mack. With her endorsement on Wednesday, Bondi joins Cabinet colleague Agricultural Commissioner Adam Putnam in supporting Mack’s bid. Two former Cabinet officials -- former Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson and former Attorney General Bill McCollum -- have also supported Mack. Mack has also reeled in the support of several colleagues in the Florida congressional delegation.

While some of the leading Republicans in Florida -- including Gov. Rick Scott and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio -- continue to remain uncommitted in the Senate primary contest, one of Mack’s rivals has also done well in reeling in endorsements.

Former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, who is looking to return to the Senate, has won the support of prominent national Republicans including former Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi, U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma and former presidential candidate Herman Cain. LeMieux has also won the support of more than 30 state legislators.

Even dark-horse candidates have reeled in prominent endorsements. Conservative writer Marielena Stuart, for example, has won the support of former U.S. Rep. Bob Dornan of California in her bid for the Senate nomination.

With a solid lead in the polls and the backing of many of the state’s prominent Republicans, Mack has not committed to debate his rivals for the party’s nomination, leading to attacks from the other GOP hopefuls. The three other major Republicans in the race -- LeMieux, former U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon and businessman and retired Army officer Mike McCalister -- have all committed to debate on July 24 at Tallahassee Community College. Nelson is expected to engage in a general election debate with whoever emerges with the Republican nomination at Nova Southeastern University in Davie on Oct. 17.



Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.