Jeb won’t run for Senate

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush has decided not to run for the Senate seat which Mel Martinez will vacate in 2010:

After thoughtful consideration, I’ve decided not to run for the United States Senate in 2010. While the opportunity to serve my state and country during these turbulent and dynamic times is compelling, now is not the right time to return to elected office. In the coming months and years, I hope to play a constructive role in the future of the Republican Party, advocating ideas and policies that solve the pressing problems of our day.

Bottom line:  Jeb was the Florida GOP’s best shot at the seat — by far.  While they’ve still got several competitive faces on the bench, there is no clear frontrunner, and there will almost certainly be a hotly contested primary as those faces vie for the nomination.  If Jeb had decided to run, he would have cleared the field immediately, unified the Republican Party of Florida behind him, and gotten a head start and an immediate polling lead over whatever Democrat(s) decided to seek the seat.