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On the heels of the State of the Union address, Republicans are turning their attention to Florida’s lone statewide elected Democrat. US Senator Bill Nelson has announced he’ll run for a third term and as Whitney Ray tells us, the GOP is already lining up candidates to take him down.

As Democrats and Republicans grabbed seats together to watch the president deliver his state of the union address…

The GOP was already working its plan to take down Florida’s only statewide elected Democrat. All eyes are on US Senator Bill Nelson as he builds his case to keep his seat.

“We need to invest more in infrastructure: roads and bridges, and rail,” said Nelson.

Earlier this year Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos announced plans to challenge Nelson in 2012. Wednesday, he took shots at President Obama and Nelson over the end of the shuttle program.

“I think it hurts our national security and it hurts our jobs,” said Haridopolos.

Former US Senator George LeMieux is also considering another trip to Washington, and says Nelson’s seat is ripe for the taking.

“His views are not in sync with Florida,” said LeMieux.

LeMieux is expected to make an announcement next month, but no matter who gets the GOP nomination, the Republican National Committee will likely dump millions of dollars into the race.”

If Republicans flip four Senate seats, they’ll control Congress. Republican Strategist Pete Dunbar says Florida will get a lot of attention.

“Florida will be a target ground for what national policy will be in the next election,” said Dunbar.

Nelson will also get help from his national party and the president, who will set his sights heavily on Florida and its 29 electoral votes. Political experts say the price tag on Florida’s US Senate race will be between 20 and 30 million dollars.