Republican Sen. Mack Won’t Seek New Term, Sources Say

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. —  Two-term Republican Sen. Connie Mack will not seek reelection in 2000, sources close to the senator said Friday.

Mack, 58, already has told close friends and family members of his decision, said the sources, who asked not to be identified.

Deputy press secretary Bethany Rogers said Mack will make an announcement Monday in Washington on his future.

The sources said Mack would return to Florida to formally announce his resignation plans March 13 in his hometown of Fort Myers.

Rumors had swirled in recent weeks that Mack might leave the Senate. He was first elected in 1988 and easily defeated Hugh Rodham, Hillary Rodham Clinton’s brother, in 1994 with 71% of the vote.

Gov. Jeb Bush tried last week to persuade Mack to remain in the Senate. The governor is “surprised and disappointed,” Bush spokesman Cory Tilley said. “But he understands Sen. Mack’s reasons.”

No reason was announced for his decision, but an advisor to Mack said the senator believes it’s time to move on to a new challenge.

Last month, two Democratic senators, Richard H. Bryan of Nevada and Frank R. Lautenberg of New Jersey, announced they would not seek reelection. Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-N.Y.) also is retiring.

Republicans now hold a 55-45 edge in the Senate, but they must defend 19 seats next year, compared with 14 for the Democrats. The 19 GOP seats include many held by first-termers who were pulled into office on the strength of the GOP landslide in 1994.

Potential candidates had been lining up to run if Mack retired. They include U.S. Reps. Mark Foley, a Republican, and Peter Deutsch, a Democrat. Others include state Insurance Commissioner Bill Nelson, a former Democratic congressman, and Republican U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum, a prosecutor during Clinton’s impeachment.

Another potential candidate is former Republican state Sen. Charlie Crist, who lost to U.S. Sen. Bob Graham last year.