Several other Democrats are considering it or have said they would run: lawyer Mike Steinberg; and two men on each side of the controversy over U.S.-Cuba relations - Al Fox, founder an organization that advocates closer ties, and Ralph Fernandez, a local lawyer and activist in the anti-Castro Cuban American National Foundation.

Farrell said his financial report for the first quarter of 2005 will show about $50,000 raised.

Miller said his report will show about $13,000.

``I'm in Tallahassee, doing legislation and being a minority leader, which takes a lot of time, and not able to pay as much attention so far to fundraising,'' Miller said.

Reacting to Castor's announcement, Miller said he expected a crowd of candidates for an open congressional seat.

So far, no well-known Republican has expressed public interest in the seat, from a heavily Democratic district. But Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman vowed there would be a credible GOP candidate.

``Absolutely,'' he said when asked by the Tribune last week. ``Certainly we intend to be competitive and we intend to work hard with the folks in Florida to make sure we have a good candidate in this race.''

Castor's county commission term ends in November 2006. The congressional term starts in January 2007.

She said she will remain focused on health care, environmental protection and education as a county commissioner.

As a commissioner, she has pushed for limits on gifts to officeholders, though she failed to gain enough support to change policy.

On issues that might dominate the congressional race, Castor said she generally opposes privatizing Social Security; supports the trade embargo on Cuba; and supports allowing families to travel to Cuba to visit relatives.

Castor was a private practice lawyer and assistant general counsel to the Florida Department of Community Affairs.

She ran for a state Senate seat in 2000 but lost to Sen. Victor Crist, R-Tampa, then won her Hillsborough commission seat in 2002, representing District 1, which stretches from Town 'N Country to south Tampa to Apollo Beach.

Castor, 38, and her husband, Bill Lewis, have two daughters.