McCalister runs for U.S. Senate

BRADENTON — Col. Mike McCalister, a retired 33-year Army officer, announced himself a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate. McCalister seeks to unseat U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Melbourne, in the 2012 general election.

According to McCalister's campaign website, “Col. McCalister will be Florida's strongest advocate for jobs, lower taxes, smaller government, an end to Obamacare, a secure border and a strong military.”

He served as the assessment chief of U.S. Special Operations initiatives in foreign nations. McCalister earned a Bachelor of Science in agriculture from Southeast Missouri State University, and a doctorate in management from the Union Institute in Cincinnati.

A Bradenton resident, McCalister is an entrepreneur and businessman, and also a university instructor of graduate business management. McCalister owns and operates a tree farm in Plant City.

Other Republicans in the primary are Senate President Mike Haridopolos, former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, and former state Rep. Adam Hasner.

Last year, during his run for governor, McCalister authored "The Right Future for Florida...And You," a book that focused on economic, education and healthcare issues. He ran third behind GOP nominee Rick Scott and former Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum, and received more than10% of the vote.