Representative Katherine Harris (R-Florida) said she fully intends to stay in the race for the U.S. Senate, quashing speculation she was going to withdraw.
Harris said she will spend $10 million of her personnel inheritance money on her Senate campaign.
'I'm in this race. I'm going to win,' Harris told Fox News during an interview on Wednesday.
Harris gained national attention in November 2000 when as Florida's secretary of state, she certified the results of the election despite ballot counting discrepancies. Harris awarded Florida's 25 electoral votes to George W. Bush. The dispute went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court where the justices eventually declared Bush the winner of Florida and therefore, of the presidential election.
Harris's actions made her a lightning rod for criticism from Democrats and an instant hero to national Republicans.
Harris said she would use 'everything I have' to defeat incumbent Senator Bill Nelson. According to Harris, the $10 million inheritance money will 'level the playing field' between the two candidates.
Rumors have spread that national Republican leaders fear that Harris is incapable of defeating Nelson and they are looking for another candidate to run against him. Among those said to be up for consideration is Tom Rooney, an attorney whose family owns the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers.
Florida Republican Party Chairwoman Carole Jean Jordan was supportive of Harris. 'It's an investment in our state, it's an investment in our values, it's an investment in what she believes and what her dad believed and what her granddad believed in,' Jordan told the Associated Press.
It remains to be seen if Florida voters share those values.
