On Friday, former U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon announced that he is going to enter the Republican primary to challenge Democrat incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.

Weldon unveiled a video on Friday in which he announced his plans to enter the Senate contest with less than three months to go until the primary in August. He faces major opposition in the form of former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, U.S. Rep. Connie Mack and retired Army officer and businessman Mike McCalister who took more than 10 percent of the Republican gubernatorial primary back in 2010.



‭“‬We are at a time in our nation‭’‬s history where we the people have to make tough choices that will determine our national direction for the next‭ four‭ ‬years‭ ‬.‭‬‬..‭ ‬choices that determine America's direction for decades,” said Weldon on Friday.

Weldon, a doctor by training, won a congressional seat in the 1994 election cycle when Republicans controlled the U.S. House for the first time in four decades. He represented parts of the Space Coast until retiring in 2008 when fellow Republican Bill Posey won the seat.

During his seven terms in Congress, Weldon built up a conservative record and helped found the Israel Allies Caucus. He looks to showcase his conservatism in his campaign website which was launched on Friday.

As he started his Senate bid, Weldon took aim at President Barack Obama.

“Many Floridians feel President Obama has traded America's greatness for‭ ‬international acceptance,‭ ‬turned his back on our Constitution and the intentions of our Founding Fathers‭ ‬and‭ ‬crushed‭ ‬the economic engine that helped make America great,” Weldon said.

“Someone has to do something to provide a conservative answer to the problems the administration has created and the current Senate has endorsed," Weldon added. “We can’t keep racking up debt and placing it on the backs of our children. It’s time to stop the spending and balance the budget again. Together, we can change Washington – I helped do it once and I can help do it again.”

News broke last week that Weldon was considering entering the contest and he left the door open to a Senate bid. He has brought on board John Brabender, best known for his recent role in Rick Santorum’s presidential campaign, as a strategist.



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