The Hill News

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) made a move Tuesday against one of the Democrats facing a potentially tough reelection in 2012, urging supporters to help unseat Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.).

Huckabee asked supporters to donate to his political action committee -- Huck PAC -- with the intent of helping defeat Nelson, a two-term senator, when he's up for reelection next year.

"Senator Nelson like all of the Democrats up for re-election in 2012 is a large reason our nation is going bankrupt," Huckabee wrote Tuesday.

"Huck PAC is preparing to help conservatives win the Florida Senate seat and defeat other vulnerable Democrat Senators across the nation," the possible 2012 Republican presidential candidate added, setting a target of 100 donations this week.

Huckab! ee's been especially active in Florida politics. He moved there last year, and Florida plays home to one of his several state-level PACs. Huckabee also took an early and active role in the 2008 races, making endorsements in general and primary elections downballot.

It's not clear whether Huckabee's early involvement in the race should tip the scale toward deciding whether or not to run for president in 2012. On one hand, the former 2008 candidate's move helps him remain relevant, especially to Republicans, in a pivotal swing state. On the other hand, if his focus remains on House and Senate races and doesn't move beyond, it could hint he's leaning against running again.

In either case, the former governor enjoyed decent standing with GOP primary voters this early in the cycle. A CNN/Opinion Research poll showed him with a slight lead atop the GOP pack of candidates for the 2012 nomination.