Florida Republican retiring from Congress

By BEN EVANS Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - Four-term Republican Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite of Florida said in a surprise announcement Friday that she won't seek re-election to Congress, citing health concerns.

Brown-Waite, trying to ensure that a hand-picked successor can replace her, announced her decision just as candidate filing closed in Florida - leaving no time for Democrats to consider fielding a fresh candidate or for any other Republicans who might have considered running.

She simultaneously threw her support behind Hernando County Sheriff Richard Nugent, a Republican who filed to run for the seat just before the noon deadline.

"This past week Rich told me he would stand in my place for election to Congress," Brown-Waite said in a statement. "On Monday, I will ask the secretary of state to withdraw my name from the ballot."

The district typically votes Republican, although Democrats have at times flirted with the idea of trying to seriously contest it. Brown-Waite won the seat with 61 percent of the vote in 2008, and Republican John McCain took 56 percent in the presidential election.

Brown-Waite becomes the 20th House Republican to resign or announce retirement this year. Nineteen Democrats are retiring or resigned. Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., died Feb. 8 following complications from gallbladder surgery.

"As I have prepared for my campaign, I have been troubled by persistent health problems and have come to the disappointing and sad conclusion that I cannot run for re-election," her statement said. "There are simply too many unresolved issues around my health."

Her office did not offer further details about her health problems, although her statement cited trouble with her pancreas. Her husband, Harvey Waite, died in 2008 after battling pancreatic cancer.

Two little-known newcomers - one Democrat and one Republican - have also filed to run.