Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos dropped by a party for Sen. Marco Rubio in Washington today, a gesture to a former colleague and a campaign buddy. But the visit took on a greater significance as Haridopolos has been moving toward running for Senate himself, against Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson.

Also showing up to the gathering at the Hart Senate Office Building: Former Sen. Mel Martinez, Sen. Mark Warner, former education secretary Bill Bennett and Emilio Gonzalez, former director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.