Could Florida have its first openly gay U.S. Senator?
Add another name to the growing list of candidates gunning for Republican Mel Martinez’s U.S. Senate seat. North Miami Mayor Kevin Burns, the city’s first openly gay mayor, is not ready to end his political career. Burns, who will be forced out by term limits in May, is making a bid for the U.S. Senate seat occupied by Martinez, who will leave next year. Burns, a Democrat, confirmed that he’s running — but declined to comment further until the official campaign kickoff Tuesday. Congressman Kendrick Meek and State Sen. Dan Gelber, both Democrats, have both announced they are running. Several Republicans — Gov. Charlie Crist, U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan and former House Speaker Marco Rubio — are considering running for the office. Democratic U.S. Rep. Ron Klein may also run.
