The Eye

Meek has been campaigning since January for the U.S. Senate seat held by one-term Republican Mel Martinez, who announced in December that he is not seeking re-election in 2010.

Meek, who has been lining up endorsements and finances, appeared to be clearing the Democratic field, as state Sen. Dan Gelber -- his major active competitor for the Democratic nomination -- exited the race in late May.

But Brown made a surprise announcement at that time that she was forming a exploratory committee for a possible Senate campaign.

Brown; Meek's mother, Carrie P. Meek; and fellow Democrat Alcee L. Hastings were the first African-American House members elected from Florida since the post-Civil War Recontruction era.

Brown has been a House member for a decade longer than Kendrick Meek, who elected in 2002 upon his mother's retirement.

Monday's endorsements were not from members of the Congressional Black Caucus, who may find themselves split between CBC members Meek and Brown if Brown does decide to formally enter the race. But Meek noted Monday that Hastings, still the only other black representative from Florida, has endorsed his Senate campaign.

Meek said he has been speaking regularly with Brown regarding her bid and expressed confidence that "the right thing will happen in the future."

Much of the attention on the 2010 race so far as focused on the Republican side, because of the decision by Florida Gov. Charlie Crist to run for the open Senate seat rather than go for a second term as the state's chief executive. Crist faces competition for the GOP nomination from former state House Speaker Marco Rubio.

To see how the 2010 Senate races are shaping up, check out the CQ Politics' election map.