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Former Florida Rep. Considers New Senate Position
12/03/08 - 10:25 PM
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Former Florida Speaker of the House Allan Bense is thinking about getting back into politics. The former Panama City State Representative has been out of the headlines for a couple of years now. But said today he may jump back in. This time with his eye on Washington.

Allan Bense says he had no plans to get back into politics. But the 2010 election could change that.

When senator Mel Martinez, who currently holds the seat, announced Tuesday he would not seek re-election in 2010, he urged those who may be interested to look into it. Martinez is a South Florida republican serving his first term in office.

News 13 spoke with Allan Bense this afternoon. He told us while he’s not sure if he will run, he believes the position needs someone with a business background and not just a politician.

”On the one hand, I feel like I need to spend time in my business because that’s my fundamental thing in life; I’m not a politician,” says Allan Bense. “But I also see our country just screaming for leadership, especially folks who have a business background and not career politicians. So that gets me interested a little bit.”

While the former House Speaker says he is considering running, former Governor Jeb Bush is also looking into it. Bense says he will only pursue the seat if Bush chooses to not run.

Bense was first elected to the house in 1998 and served as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives from 2004 to 2006.

Bense told News 13 if the former governor decides to seek the Senate position, he will be Bush’s biggest supporter. Both men say they will make a decision after the holidays.