Negron said he could not overcome the huge name ID of former U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum, a Longwood Republican who suddenly finds himself without a primary opponent.

"Bill McCollum has run two statewide campaigns in the past six years, once as the Republican nominee for the United States Senate," Negron said in a statement. "His name recognition among Republicans is simply too strong for me to overcome in the Republican Primary of a down ballot race. With earned matching funds, I have twice the cash on hand as Bill McCollum. However, his residual name ID gives him an insurmountable lead."

- Aaron Sharockman