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Atwater contemplating U.S. Senate run

Then-Senate President Jeff Atwater on chamber floor in 2009. Atwater, now Florida CFO, is considering whether to jump into the U.S. Senate race
AP/Coale
Then-Senate President Jeff Atwater on chamber floor in 2009. Atwater, now Florida CFO, is considering whether to jump into the U.S. Senate race

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer could be tossing his hat into the U.S. Senate Race. As Sascha Cordner reports, Jeff Atwater says a number of people have asked him to enter the Republican Primary for Senate.

Atwater says he’s seriously considering a U.S. Senate bid, after several conservatives asked him to take a hard look at the idea. While some say the current hopefuls are not doing enough to energize GOP voters, Florida’s Republican Party Chairman Lenny Curry says that’s not true.

“I think the candidates have a base that they’ve energized, that are supporting them, and if Jeff Atwater decides to get in, I think anyone of our guys can beat Bill Nelson. The Republican Party is in good shape in this U.S. Senate race.”

The GOP candidates include Congressman Connie Mack, former Senator George Lemieux, and businessman Mike McCalister. The winner will go up against incumbent Democratic U.S Senator Bill Nelson.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.