Former N.H. Sen. Smith Ends Run for Florida Seat

Former New Hampshire Sen. Bob Smith on Thursday ended his campaign for a Senate seat in his new home of Florida, citing a poor start to fundraising.

The Republican raised only $66,000 in a crowded campaign that features five GOP candidates who have topped the $1-million mark.

“In spite of our best effort, we just didn’t raise enough money to make the campaign viable,” said Smith, who had only about 1% support in recent polls.

“Florida is a name-recognition state, and Bob Smith just doesn’t have that name recognition here,” said Matthew Corrigan, a University of North Florida political science professor.

Smith has long been considered a maverick. He left the Republican Party and ran for president in 1999, then rejoined the party a few months later, saying he had made a mistake.

The two-term senator was defeated in the 2002 Republican primary in New Hampshire by John E. Sununu, who went on to win the election. Smith took a job last year selling high-end waterfront real estate in Florida.

Smith said he had accepted an appointment to be president of the Everglades Foundation, a nonprofit group dedicated to restoring the wetlands area.

Republicans seeking nomination to succeed retiring Democrat Bob Graham include former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez, House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, former Rep. Bill McCollum, attorney Larry Klayman. and businessman Doug Gallagher.