The Nation : Citing Cost, Ex-Gov. Askew Quits Florida Senate Race

Popular former Florida Gov. Reubin O. Askew gave up his bid for a U.S. Senate seat even though he was leading the race, saying “it’s just not right” that candidates must spend 75% of their time raising money. Askew said he also was motivated by a desire to spend more time with his family. He said he would support a fellow Democrat, Rep. Buddy MacKay, for the Senate. Askew’s war chest had reached $1 million, but a 1986 Senate race in which former Gov. Bob Graham ousted Republican Paula Hawkins cost both sides a total of $15 million. “I found myself increasingly concerned about the extraordinary cost of running a statewide campaign in Florida today,” Askew said in a statement.