Restaurant executive Craig Miller, who is in a crowded Republican primary of candidates looking to challenge Democrat incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012, stressed his roots in the private sector on Monday and argued that Florida needs a senator with “real world” experience.

Miller -- an Air Force veteran and former CEO of Uno Restaurants and Ruth's Chris Steakhouse who ran unsuccessfully for a Republican congressional nomination in Central Florida in 2010 -- sent out an email to supporters on Monday noting that the Sunshine State continues to lag behind much of the nation

“As we approach the holiday season, it is important to remember those among us who are still struggling in our national economy,” Miller wrote before hammering President Barack Obama and Nelson on the economy. “For too many, this will be the third or fourth holiday season spent working a temporary or part-time position because the Obama/Nelson economy can’t create enough jobs to support our work force.”

While he did not attack any of his Republican rivals by name, Miller added that Florida needs a senator with private-sector experience. Three of Miller’s chief Republican opponents -- former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux and U.S. Rep. Connie Mack -- have held political office. Mike McCalister, a retired Army colonel and businessman who ran for governor in 2010, is also in the primary and, like Miller, has never held political office.

“We need a senator who has held a job in the real world; a representative who knows what it means to sign the front of a paycheck,” Miller insisted. “We need a senator who knows how to create a job – not just stand in the way of our nation’s job creators.”

Miller also blasted Nelson on fundraising on Monday, insisting the Democrat incumbent had more financial support in the Beltway than he did from the Sunshine State.

“Bill Nelson is spending his time raising money from Washington lobbyists, and the people of Florida need to send him a message in a language he can understand,” Miller wrote.

Miller also looked to make some inroads on the First Coast over the weekend. While a bastion of Republican support in the Sunshine State, none of the leading hopefuls for the GOP Senate nomination have much in the way of ties to that part of the state. Miller hit the airwaves on Sunday, appearing on “On Point Politics” on  First Coast News.

 

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