Florida Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer asked the National Republican Congressional Committee on Monday to back state Sen. Bill Posey (R) in the race to replace Rep. Dave Weldon (R), who announced his retirement last month.

Greer also gave his personal endorsement to Posey on Monday at an event attended by Weldon and two other Republicans who were contemplating getting into the race, state Sen. Mike Haridopolos and state Rep. Stan Mayfield.

”I wanted to have a unified party in this district,” Greer said. “I wanted to send a very clear message that Bill Posey is our person who we want to succeed Congressman Weldon.”

Greer also fired off a letter Monday to the NRCC asking the committee to provide Posey with “pre-primary financial assistance and strategic assistance.”

“We don’t want anyone else in this race,” Greer said.

Former Brevard County Commissioner Nancy Higgs and physician Steve Blythe are running on the Democratic side.

The Space Coast seat gave President Bush 57 percent of the vote in 2004, but some Democrats believe it can be competitive with Weldon out of the picture.
— Matthew Murray