11.10.2003

MEDIA RELEASE

Brown endorses Deutsch in Democratic Senate primary

MIAMI - U.S. Rep. Peter Deutsch picked up the endorsement of a key black member of Congress and the state Democratic Party’s highest-ranking woman Monday in the race to succeed Florida Sen. Bob Graham.

Deutsch, of Pembroke Pines, received the backing of U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown during a stop in her Jacksonville area district. Brown was among the first black members elected to Congress from Florida since the post-Civil War era and could help Deutsch court black voters in the August 2004 primary.

Deutsch told reporters that Brown’s endorsement was "a real serious statement in terms of what I expect to happen in August of next year and November of next year."

The announcement represented the latest jockeying for position since Graham said last week he would not seek re-election. Former state Education Commissioner Betty Castor pointed to internal poll numbers last week showing her with an edge in the primary.

Brown said she was encouraged to endorse Deutsch by U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, a black Democrat from Miramar who is exploring a Senate campaign but could instead seek re-election to his congressional seat. Deutsch said he could not "conceive of any possibility that (Hastings) and I would be running against each other."

A Hastings spokesman did not immediately return phone calls seeking reaction. Hastings spent the weekend in central Florida and was traveling to South Florida on Monday as he evaluated a potential campaign.

Deutsch and Brown, two of the state party’s most senior members in Congress, have a long history together. Both were elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1982 and won seats in Congress in 1992.

Brown said she wanted to make an endorsement early in the process and thought Deutsch’s frenetic style would serve the party well.

"Peter is hungry," Brown said during a conference call with reporters. "He is going to do what it takes to win and I think it’s Peter’s time."

Castor spokesman Stephen Gaskill said the former University of South Florida president would also be releasing endorsements of her own. Castor will be traveling to Washington on Tuesday to meet with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Emily’s List, a political action committee that helps female Democratic candidates who are pro-abortion rights.

Deutsch and Castor are competing against Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas in the Democratic primary but the field could grow. State Sen. Walter "Skip" Campbell of Fort Lauderdale met with party officials in Washington last week and may join the field.

The field of Republicans includes former U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum of Longwood, House Speaker Johnnie Byrd of Plant City, state Sen. Daniel Webster of the Orlando area, Miami lawyer Larry Klayman and Pinellas County Commissioner Barbara Sheen Todd.

U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris of Sarasota and Sarasota car dealer Vern Buchanan have said they are considering entering the Republican contest.

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