SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) - Republican Congressman Connie Mack IV has officially announced his entry into the U.S. Senate race.
    
Mack appeared on Fox News Channel on Monday night to announce his intention to challenge Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson.
    
Mack will first have to win the primary. Buoyed by name recognition, Mack surged to the top of a Quinnipiac University poll even before officially entering the race. His father is former Sen. Connie Mack III and his great-grandfather is Hall of Fame baseball manager Connie Mack.
    
He will now have to prove he deserves the front-runner status as the other four major candidates attack his record.
    
Also seeking the nomination are former Sen. George LeMieux, former state Rep. Adam Hasner, retired Army Col. Mike McCalister and former steakhouse chain CEO Craig Miller.

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