Congressman Connie Mack IV's entrance into the U.S. Senate race as the instant frontrunner also puts a huge target on his back.

Mack will now undergo scrutiny from the media and criticism from opponents about his personal background and political record.

That will range from old history like a barroom fight with then Atlanta Braves outfielder Ron Gant to his support of taxpayer funded embryonic stem cell research as a congressman.

Mack says he will spend the next year talking about his record and positions in a way that will convince voters he deserves the position beyond the famous name he shares with his father the former senator and his great-grandfather, the Hall of Fame baseball manager.