Citing slipping poll numbers, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush told members of the media earlier this week that he doesn't believe Rep. Katherine Harris (R-FL) can unseat Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) in November.

"I just don't think she can win," Bush said at a Tallahassee memorial event for fallen Florida police officers.

It's been no secret that Bush and other influencial Republicans had been encouraging Florida House Speaker Allan Bense to challenge Harris in the primary.

However, two days after the Governor's slap in the face at Harris, Bense announced that he would not run.

"While the challenge of running a successful campaign over the next several months was exciting, and while I am confident we would have been successful, ultimately my decision came down to the fundamental question of whether I was willing to spend the next six, 12 or possibly 18 years of my life away from my family and my home serving Florida in the U.S. Senate," Bense said. "After much thought and prayer, I realized the answer to that question is, 'No.'"

"I hear voices of discontent and I am just going to do the best I can do based on what I think is right," he said. "There is too much flattery, too much ego, too much criticism, too much noise, too much politics, too much that, for a president to kind of grope his way around looking at the latest public opinion poll. In my judgment, it does not serve the nation well."

Harris released a statement saying she hoped Bense would assist her campaign efforts, while at the same time pledged that she would be "an independent voice for Florida" in the Senate.

"Our campaign is focused on defeating liberal Bill Nelson. My candidacy is about being a fighter and a strong independent advocate for Florida. People are tired of politics as usual. They are tired of backroom beltway deals," Harris said. "They are tired of partisan politics. While I am a proud and loyal Republican, ultimately, when I cast a vote I always ask, is it the right vote for the people of my state and our nation – as opposed to a partisan game?"

"As a United States Senator I will be an independent voice for Florida. Former Senator Zell Miller (D-GA) once said, it's not what team you're on that is important, it's what side you're on that matters. I couldn't agree more, and plan to cast every vote as a United States Senator with the philosophy that I will always be on the side of Floridians and our nation, first and foremost," Harris said.

As Florida's secretary of state, Harris became a nationally-known but highly controversial figure for her role in certifying the governor's brother, George W. Bush, as the winner of the Florida's electoral votes during the 2000 presidential race. Recounts and lawsuits ensued but ultimately Bush's victory was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.