Get ready, get set, ok…let’s beat her!

Katherine Harris is now officially the nominee of her party in the U.S. Senate contest in Florida.

From the Associated Press:

As Florida secretary of state six years ago, Harris oversaw the recount that gave George W. Bush the White House. She became a rising star in the Republican Party, parlaying name recognition into two terms in Congress.

But state GOP leaders tried to talk Harris out of running for the Senate, citing fears she would lose to Nelson while spurring a large November turnout by Democrats, which would hurt the entire Republican ticket.

Harris’ campaign for the nomination was widely derided as spectacularly inept. Fundraising lagged, prompting her to pledge $10 million of her own money. Her makeup, clothes and personality were mocked on national TV. She was linked to a corrupt defense contractor. Staff members kept quitting in frustration.

Still, she won comfortably, thanks to weak opposition and a strong base of Republicans who loved her because of her role in the recount furor.

Some 2 1/2 hours after the polls closed, the 49-year-old congresswoman arrived at her Tampa campaign headquarters to chants of “We want Katherine.”

“Tonight I say to Bill Nelson: Come home, Bill. Enough is enough,” Harris said. She said the campaign “can’t rest for even a moment.”

Good luck, Ms. Harris. If you aren’t in jail by Election Day, you may even have a shot at 40% of the vote.