MOST OF FLORIDA'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION BACKS BLUNT; PUTNAM'S CHAIRMANSHIP RACE GAINS GROUND

The St. Petersburg Times' Washington blog Tales From D.C. reports over the weekend that much of Florida's congressional delegation is supporting Roy Blunt (R - MO) in his campaign to become the next Majority Leader, replacing the disgraced Tom DeLay (R - TX). The only two exceptions noted are Tom Feeney (R - Orlando) and Connie Mack (R - Fort Myers), who are backing John Shadegg (R - AZ).

Shadegg is giving up his chairmanship of the House Republican Policy Committee to seek the Majority Leader's position. Among several members looking to replace him heading the committee is Adam Putnam (R - Bartow), considered by many on The Hill as a rising star among the GOP conservatives. Putnam notes a "Whip Team" of 17 representatives, including eight from Florida, who are actively campaigning for him. But that "Whip Team" does not include a distant relative, Katherine Harris (R - Sarasota), although her name does appear on another list of 20 collegues as "Additional Public Supporters".