McCalister runs for U.S. Senate

BRADENTON — Col. Mike McCalister, a retired 33-year Army officer, announced himself a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate. McCalister seeks to unseat U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Melbourne, in the 2012 general election.

According to McCalister's campaign website, “Col. McCalister will be Florida's strongest advocate for jobs, lower taxes, smaller government, an end to Obamacare, a secure border and a strong military.”

He served as the assessment chief of U.S. Special Operations initiatives in foreign nations. McCalister earned a Bachelor of Science in agriculture from Southeast Missouri State University, and a doctorate in management from the Union Institute in Cincinnati.