Joel Eskovitz: Scenes from Florida's U.S. Senate race

The congressman, whose district cuts through eastern Collier County, reiterated his support for former Rep. Bill McCollum this week, despite the increasing likelihood that Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez will join those seeking to replace Sen. Bob Graham in 2004.

Diaz-Balart and his older brother, Lincoln, signed on with McCollum after several conversations with Martinez, who had repeatedly told them he wasn't running.

"Both Lincoln and I are strongly behind McCollum, regardless of who may or may not jump into the race,'' Mario Diaz-Balart said. "We're not in the business of breaking commitments. The only thing you have in life is your word and your commitment.''

Speculation that Martinez will enter the race escalated this week when Republican donors and consultants acknowledged receiving calls from the Cabinet member seeking support for a potential bid. White House officials had unsuccessfully pushed Martinez to run earlier this year. He declined, citing his focus on gaining experience as an executive as being more important toward a gubernatorial bid in 2006.

Political analysts believe Martinez fills a void in the Republican field -- deemed by some as too conservative -- that is led by McCollum, who some party leaders are reticent to endorse after he lost an open-seat race to Sen. Bill Nelson in 2000. Some speculate Martinez was urged to reconsider his decision after Rep. Katherine Harris, R-Sarasota, began contemplating running last week.

Harris the fund-raiser

Democrats may have been more geared up for a potential Harris Senate campaign than her fellow Republicans.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is using the word that Harris is considering running to urge donors to give money. Officials there say they must stop the former Florida secretary of state, the woman they believe undermined the 2000 presidential election by certifying Florida's electoral votes for President Bush.

"I think Katherine Harris has done enough to subvert the democratic process -- I don't want to see her run for Senate in Florida,'' writes committee Executive Director Andrew Grossman. "But if she does, defeating her will be our No. 1 priority.''

Harris has said she wouldn't rule out a bid but added that she has no immediate plans to seek the seat.

Rallying the Democrats

Betty Castor was in Washington this week, meeting with special interest groups and senators to gain support for her Senate bid. She chatted with an environmental group and a nursing organization to try to earn support for the race now that Graham isn't running.

The former state education commissioner said backers and donors have been steadily joining her team, a task that has been a lot easier since Graham's decision earlier this month.

Castor had less than a half-million dollars in the bank after the third quarter of the year but expects to hit the million-dollar mark by year's end. Her staff believes she will have to raise $5 million to be successful in the primary election, and at least another $5 million more for the general election were Castor to be the Democratic nominee.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Alex Penelas and Hollywood Rep. Peter Deutsch also are seeking the Democratic nomination. Miramar Rep. Alcee Hastings is considering throwing his hat into the ring.

Joel Eskovitz is the Daily News' Washington correspondent. He can be reached by e-mail at eskovitzj@shns.com.