TIMES ENDORSES COLLINS IN GOP RACE FOR SENATE; CRIST GETS ANOTHER RECOMMENDATION IN SARASOTA

The endorsements continue in several newspapers today, mostly for local and judicial races. However, the St. Petersburg Times comes out with it's recommendation for the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate, and it chose LeRoy Collins, Jr. over frontrunner Congresswoman Katherine Harris.

The 71-year-old Collins is a retired two star admirial after serving 34 years in the U.S. Navy, and is the son of a former Democratic governor known for his efforts on behalf of education and his moderate position on civil rights during the Tallahassee bus boycott of 1956.

The Times says:

"Though Harris plays the role of political victim, her wounds are entirely self-inflicted...The choice before them is between a terribly flawed incumbent member of Congress and a man with a distinguished military and business career. Collins may not have political experience, but he has intellectual heft and a record of leadership."

Also today, Attorney General Charlie Crist earns the endorsement of the Sarasota Herald Tribune for the GOP gubernatorial nomination.