TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) _ Senate Republicans formally and unanimously elected Senator Jeff Atwater as the chamber's president-designate if the GOP maintains its majority after the 2008 election. Republicans now have a 26-14 advantage.
Atwater is from North Palm Beach. He would serve a two-year term
replacing Senator Ken Pruitt R-Port St. Lucie. Pruitt must leave the chamber next year due to an eight year term limit, but Senate presidents and House speakers traditionally serve in those posts for only two years.
Republicans selected Atwater in the Senate chamber of the Old Capitol, where his great-great grandfather, Napoleon B. Broward, served as governor a century ago, 1905 through 1909.
Atwater promised to take a bipartisan approach and drew extended applause when he criticized those property insurance companies that
have continued to raise premiums even after the Legislature expanded the state's backup fund for hurricane losses.
Helpful Links
Learn more about the United States Congress at
www.house.gov and www.senate.gov
Not sure which precinct to vote at?
Visit the Georgia Precinct Locator
Want to know what you need to do to register to vote in Georgia? Visit www.sos.state.ga.us/elections
Also visit the State of Georgia website
Find out more about elections in Georgia at the
Georgia Elections website
Know when to head to the Georgia polls by browsing
Georgia Voter Information
Know when to head to the Florida polls by visiting the
Florida Voter Information Page
Find out more about Florida Voting Systems
Want to talk to your elected officials? Visit Florida’s Contact Your Elected Officials Page
Get your Florida voter registration application at
election.dos.state.fl.us
Learn more about how Florida does elections at the Florida Division of Elections Web Site
Visit the State of Florida Web Site
CBS Political Headlines
-
U.S. IDs several men possibly responsible for Benghazi attack
No one in custody, but investigators have zeroed in on potential suspects in consulate attack that left 4 Americans dead -
Video: "We don't have to worry" about Oklahoma relief money, Reid says
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., told reporters FEMA has enough money "right now" to tend to the devastation left by a monster tornado in Oklahoma, but assured that "if there's more money needed, we're gonna take care of it." -
Video: McConnell: Lift sanctions on Burma
After meeting with Burmese President Thein Sein, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he believes because of the steps the former pariah state has taken toward democracy, "enough progress has been made in Burma to where implementation of the sanctions this year is actually not a good idea." -
Top IRS official to invoke 5th Amendment at congressional testimony
Lois Lerner, the IRS official in charge of oversight of tax-exempt groups will decline to answer questions about controversial targeting practices -
Obama announces bipartisan election commission
In effort to address voting issues, Obama taps Democrat, GOP election lawyers to co-chair presidential commission -
Video: Current FEMA resources "sufficient" in short-term Okla. relief, Carney says
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said it's "too early" to assess the long-term needs of Oklahoma tornado victims, and emphasized the administration's focus on short-term relief efforts. -
WH suggests delayed vote on gay immigration proposal, sources say
AP sources: White House suggests it would be best to put off a controversy over gay marriage until the immigration bill goes before the full Senate -
Video: Pelosi: Congress must "help wipe the tears" from Okla. community
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called on lawmakers to "act quickly" to provide relief to Moore, Okla. - a community destroyed by a monstrous tornado that killed dozens, including many children.
