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PENSACOLA -State Rep. Willie Logan, saying he's "a biker now," donned a helmet and hopped on a glistening black motorcycle Tuesday in search of votes and an identity for his long-shot, independent U.S. Senate campaign.

The Opa-locka lawmaker had ridden into Pensacola the night before from Century, a tiny Panhandle town north of here on the Florida-Alabama state line, trying to emulate the late Gov. Lawton Chiles. 

Century is where Chiles began each of his famed hikes across Florida. The first one ended in his election to the U.S. Senate 30 years ago and earned the Democratic politician the nickname "Walkin' Lawton."

"Biker Willie" may not be as poetic, but Logan, a former Democrat, hopes to capture the imagination of voters the same way as Chiles, who died in 1998 near the end of his second term as governor. 

"It's marketing," said Logan, who only recently learned to ride a motorcycle.  "When you attempt to sell yourself, and to increase your name recognition and to engage people in your campaign, you must do it in such a way that it gets their attention."

Logan was joined for the first mile of his ride, scheduled to end July 4 in Key West, by Century Councilwoman, Marie McMurray, who also walked the first mile with Chiles three decades ago. She sat behind Logan on his motorcycle as he rode out of Century, escorted by 16 other bikers.

Earlier Monday, Logan was among the first candidates to file when qualifying for federal offices began at noon at the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee. State Insurance Commissioner Bill Nelson, who has no opposition for the Democratic nomination, and U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum, an Altamonte Springs Republican, also qualified Monday. 

Perennial candidate Andy Martin, a Fort Lauderdale independent, qualified Tuesday. State Education Commissioner Tom Gallagher, a Republican, also is expected to officially join the race before qualifying closes at noon Friday. Congressional candidates also are facing the same deadline. 

While on his ride, Logan said he hopes to help change the often unsavory image of bikers.  "Oftentimes those perceptions are very wrong or very limited," Logan said. "Literally, I'm a biker now. And I consider myself a legitimate individual who is a professional, who is very caring and very responsible."

Logan, who is black, insists he is in the race to win and bristles at the suggestion he can only be a spoiler by siphoning off black votes that usually go to the Democratic candidate.

"I would suggest to you that is a perception and a rumor that started with the Democrats and
continues to be perpetuated by the Democrats," Logan said.

"There is nothing about my campaign that I am seeking black votes and black votes alone," he said. "I think it's insulting to me. I think it's insulting to the black community. And, quite frankly, I think it's insulting to the people of Florida."

Logan's wife, Lyra, strapped on a helmet and climbed on the motorcycle behind her husband before they headed east across the Panhandle bound for Crestview and Bonifay under clear blue skies and a blazing sun.

"We practiced going up and down Krome Avenue in Miami," she said. "He's good. I feel very safe on the back. And no sudden starts and no close calls -yet."