Democratic U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown's fledgling campaign for the U.S. Senate is injecting some highstrung personal drama into a high-stakes political contest.
Her friend and former colleague in Congress, Carrie Meek, is said to be "heartbroken'' over Brown's decision to compete against her son, U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek of Miami. Kendrick Meek began running for the Senate back in January.
Carrie Meek, Brown and Alcee Hastings were elected together in 1992 – the first black members of Congress from Florida since Reconstruction. Meek retired in 2002, handing over her seat to her son.
"Those two women have been as close to being sisters as two friends can get,'' said political fundraiser Ana Navarro, who is close to the Meek family. "Corrine is my friend and I hope this will pass. I hate to see her risk her seat in Congress and even more so, her friendship with Carrie Meek.
"I talked to Carrie on Saturday and I could hear the pain in her voice,'' Navarro added. "Not because she thinks Corrine can beat Kendrick, but because it is her lifelong friend saying she wants to run against her son. This is breaking Carrie Meek's heart. It is difficult and sad for those of us who are friends with the Meeks and with Corrine."
Carrie Meek did not return calls yesterday. More on Brown's campaign is here.
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