Republicans Raising Millions Of Dollars More Than Democrats
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) — Florida Republicans have raised a lot more money toward the next election than Democrats so far according to new numbers released Thursday.
The Republican Party of Florida reported that it raised $5.1 million in the three months that ended Sept. 30. The Florida Democratic Party raised $1.4 million during the same period.
The state GOP has now raised $14 million dollars this year, compared to $3.5 million raised by Democrats.
But the money edge doesn't just stop there.
Republican candidates for statewide office — such as Attorney General Pam Bondi — are also stockpiling large amounts.
Bondi still doesn't have an opponent yet. But her re-election campaign — as well as a separate political committee set up to aid her re-election — collected $1.2 million in donations in the last three months. The total includes a $500,000 check from the Republican State Leadership Committee, a Washington D.C. political organization.
Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam raised more than $400,000 in cash between his re-election campaign and a separate political committee. U.S. Sugar and Disney were among some of the largest donors.
Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater raised more than $343,000 for his re-election bid.
Among the major donors this past quarter was The Seminole Tribe of Florida. It gave $250,000 to the state GOP and $75,000 to Democrats, while also giving $500,000 to a political committee linked to Republican Gov. Rick Scott.
The tribe owns several casinos around Florida, including the Hard Rock casinos in Hollywood and Tampa. State legislators may make major changes to the state's gambling laws during the 2014 session that could result in competitors to the tribe-run casinos.
Other major corporations involved in legislative fights over gambling have also donated heavily, including a company that wants to build a casino in downtown Miami.
(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
