Nelson re-election a major focus for Democrats

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (AP) -- In what's sort of an off-year for state politics, Sen. Bill Nelson's re-election campaign will be a major focus for Florida Democrats as they meet for their largest event of the year.

Nelson will address about 1,000 Democrats Saturday evening in a year when the presidential election is grabbing all the attention and he'll remind activists about his race.

While Nelson has about $10 million more in his campaign account than Republican frontrunner Connie Mack IV, his campaign is reminding people that outside groups have already spent millions of dollars attacking the senator, who is seeking his third term.

Nelson's seat is the only statewide Florida race on the ballot. Democrats are also hoping to pick up seats in the Legislature and in the U.S. House, where they're outnumbered 19-6.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)