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"By BRENDAN FARRINGTON, Associated Press Writer
Mon Mar 13, 6:25 PM ET
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris is under mounting pressure from Republicans to abandon her bid for the U.S. Senate and is expected to announce her plans later this week.
GOP leaders have urged Harris to get out of the race, saying she cannot win and that her role as Florida's secretary of state during the 2000 presidential recount could drive Democrats and independents to the polls in droves.
Harris canceled a trip to the Southern Republican Leadership Conference last weekend and said she would soon end the speculation about her campaign. There were no details available Monday about the timing of the announcement. Her campaign staff declined to comment, and even those close to her were unsure whether she would remain in the race.
The lack of party support for Harris' challenge to Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson led to lower-than-expected campaign contributions. She has struggled to gain ground in polls and began the year trailing Nelson in fundraising, $8 million to $1 million.
Her campaign has had difficulties since she entered the race last summer. GOP leaders in Washington sought a primary opponent for her, believing her role in securing President Bush's 537-vote victory would galvanize Democrats and independents against her.
Her campaign became more difficult after a defense contractor involved in a bribery scandal said he also gave Harris illegal campaign contributions.
Mitchell Wade, the former president of MZM Inc., admitted making $32,000 in illegal contributions to Harris' 2004 campaign for the House. Wade also pleaded guilty to bribing former U.S. Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, R-Calif., who was sent to prison earlier this month for bribery.
Harris said she did not knowingly do anything illegal and said she would donate the money to charity."
Beautiful! (unlike Rep. Harris)
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