Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

With no credible Dem challenger, Garcia reconsidering rematch.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012 | 12:30 p.m.

State Rep. Luis Garcia's (D) decision not to run has left Rep. David Rivera (R) without a serious challenger. Ex-Rivera opponent Joe Garcia (D) said on April 3 "that Garcia's exit has 'forced' him to reconsider seeking the seat." Garcia: "I'm more than thinking about it, because clearly there are very few people who have the name recognition and the team and the possibility to put a campaign together for a United States congressional seat in a few weeks."

"Also being recruited": businesswoman Gloria Romero Roses (D), "who has been active in Ruth's List, an organization aimed at finding progressive pro-choice women to run for office" in FL. "She did not return calls seeking comment."

Miami-Dade Dem chair Richard Lydecker "said he respects Garcia and will miss him in the race. He said there's still ample time to recruit a candidate" to run against Rivera. Lydecker said that "prospective Rivera challengers ... were kept out of the race because Garcia 'is a big name.' ... Asked about prospective candidates, Lydecker could name only" ex-Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas (D), who said on April 3 he likely won't run (Mazzei, Miami Herald, 4/3).