The Hendersonville, N.C., Times-News reports that a friendship between Democratic Rep. Heath Shuler and former President Bill Clinton “translated into big bucks for Shuler’s re-election campaign” at a fundraiser in Raleigh, N.C., on Monday. Shuler spokesman Andrew Whalen said the event drew a “six-figure sum,” according to the newspaper. “Clinton recruited Shuler to run for Congress against long-time Republican congressman Charles Taylor,” the Times-News said. “Clinton attended church with Shuler during the Democratic primary in the spring” and Shuler supported Hillary Rodham Clinton after she won the most votes in the Democratic presidential primary in state’s 11th District.

According to the St. Petersburg Times, Tampa, Fla., Mayor Pam Iorio confirmed Tuesday that “she’s taking a serious look at running for the U.S. Senate seat to be vacated by Republican Mel Martinez .” Iorio stressed that she is just gathering information at this point. “I’m analyzing it. I like to gather a lot of facts before I make decisions,” said Iorio, a 49-year-old Democrat, according to the Times. “The appeal of it is to be able to make a difference on national issues. If I feel I could make a difference and represent the state of Florida well, that’s important to me.” Democratic state Sen. Dan Gelber of Miami Beach formally announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination Tuesday, joining Democratic Rep. Kendrick B. Meek , who had announced earlier this month.