Janet Reno endorses Betty Castor for U.S. Senate

[Freddie Stubbs]

Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno endorsed former state education commissioner Betty Castor in the Democratic race for the U.S. Senate on Monday, citing Castor's long commitment to bolstering education and the environment.

Reno chose Castor over two other prominent Democrats seeking the seat of retiring Sen. Bob Graham -- Miami-Dade County Mayor Alex Penelas and U.S. Rep. Peter Deutsch.

Castor was Florida's commissioner of education from 1987 to 1993, then was president of the University of South Florida until 1999, when she became president of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Republicans in the Senate race include former Judicial Watch head Larry Klayman, state House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, state Sen. Daniel Webster and former U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum, the party's unsuccessful Senate candidate in 2000.

more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/12/01/national1203EST0556.DTL