Adam Hasner made it official; he is not going to seek challenge Democratic Rep. Patrick Murphy in Florida 18th Congressional District seat.
After the National Republican Congressional Committee courted Hasner to go for the Palm Beach-Treasure Coast swing district, the former Florida House Majority Leader put to rest any speculation this weekend about joining the national-marquee race in 2014.
Hasner and his wife Jillian even put their Boca Raton home up for sale, further fueling the talk of a run.
“After a lot of consideration, I have chosen not to run for Congress in 2014,” Hasner told George Bennett of the Palm Beach Post. “It just isn’t the right time for me and Jillian.”
National Republicans were drawn to Hasner’s fundraising skills, which had him collecting more than $3.3 million in 2011 and 2012 for a U.S. Senate bid. Hasner then lost his state house seat to Rep. Lois Frankel.
Republicans need fundraising skill if they want to be successful in November. Other Republicans running for Murphy’s seat — former state Rep. Carl Domino, former Tequesta Councilmember Calvin Turnquest and former Connecticut legislator Alan Schlesinger and Juno Beach Councilmember Ellen Andel — all struggled to raise money, while incumbent Murphy raised more than $1.5 million, Bennett reports.
