Dave Berman

FLORIDA TODAY

Former Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos is considering seeking the Florida Senate seat now held by Thad Altman, who cannot seek re-election because of term limits.

Two Republican state representatives already are candidates for the Senate seat, in a district that, under redistricting, will include central and south Brevard County and all of Indian River County.

Reps. Debbie Mayfield of Vero Beach and Ritch Workman of Melbourne have filed to run for the Senate seat now held by Altman, R-Rockledge. Mayfield and Workman cannot run for re-election to the Florida House because of term limits.

Michael Thomas of Melbourne, a GOP state committee member, also is an announced candidate for Altman's Senate seat.

No Democrats have announced their candidacy so far.

Senate race to pit House members Workman vs. Mayfield

Haridopolos, a Melbourne Republican, said he is leaning toward entering the race, and will decide later this month, after further discussions with his family and political supporters.

Commenting on Haridopolos' possible candidacy, Mayfield said that "everybody's free to run. I'm looking forward to him getting into the race. It'll be a race."

Mayfield added that her supporters are "100 percent behind me."

Haridopolos served in both the Florida Senate and House. He had to leave the Senate in 2012 because of term limits, but now can once again run for a Senate seat.

"There's been a lot of people asking me to run," Haridopolis said.

Haridopolos currently is executive vice president of The Stronach Group, a property company; and runs a consulting business.

Contact Berman at 321-242-3649 or dberman@floridatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter @ByDaveBerman and on Facebook at facebook.com/dave.berman.54