Former Ruth’s Chris CEO to Run for U.S. Senate

According to POLITICO, former Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse CEO Craig S. Miller will announce his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat held by moderate Florida Democrat Bill Nelson on Tuesday.

Miller, 61, plans to declare his candidacy at the Orlando International Airport Tuesday morning at 8 a.m.  He will then make stops in Tampa, Naples, West Palm Beach and Jacksonville.

In summing up GOP Senate prospects a few months ago, a field that includes Senate President Mike Haridopolos, ex-House Majority Leader Adam Hasner and Charlie Crist-appointed former Sen. George LeMieux — all three of whom face major obstacles in mounting a formidable challenge to the popular two-term Democratic incumbent — Miller clearly saw an opening for a self-described “outsider“ such as himself.

“One of the most important decisions that citizens of the state of Florida will make in 2012 is what type of U.S. senator they want to represent them in Washington, D.C.,” Miller told Kevin Derby of Sunshine State News in early May.  “The choices they have to currently pick from are all classic career politicians from both parties who have made a living serving in Tallahassee or Washington, D.C.  They have all taken large sums of money from special interest groups, some for decades.

Last year, Miller finished a close third in a five-way GOP primary — losing narrowly to Sandy Adams — for the right to take on then-Democratic House member Suzanne Kosmas.  The restaurateur reportedly spent more than $560,000 of his own money in that contest.