House Speaker Richard Corcoran isn’t officially in the running to become Florida governor in 2018 but he hasn’t wasted any time raising hefty amounts of cash for a possible bid for the governor’s mansion.
In July, Corcoran’s political committee, Watchdog PAC, raised over $820,000 for his potential run for governor, adding more jingle to Corcoran’s pockets, which have amassed nearly $3 million in campaign contributions since Watchdog PAC began in May.
Two legal firms gave Corcoran some of his biggest donations in July, with each giving him $100,000.
West Palm Beach law firms Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath and Searcy, Denney, Scarola, Barnhart & Shipley Attorneys At Law both contributed the top amounts for Corcoran last month.
That wasn’t the only $100,000 donation Corcoran received over the course of July.
Citizens Alliance for Florida’s Economy, a political committee with ties to the Florida Justice Association and Tampa-based political consultant Anthony Pedicini, shuffled another $100,000 to Corcoran’s committee last month.
More of Corcoran’s buddies followed suit, with Conservative and Principled Leadership for Florida, headed up by Rep. Carlos Trujillo, R-Miami, giving the PAC another $50,000.
Superstore chain Walmart gave Corcoran $50,000 while Michael Millner-chaired Leadership for Florida’s Future dumped $25,000 to the House Speaker.
“Friends of Matt Gaetz,” a committee associated with Republican U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, gave Corcoran $15,000.
Corcoran is clearly rallying support for something, and it’s likely a gubernatorial bid is where he’s set his sights after he finishes up as House Speaker in 2018.
The Land O’Lakes Republican has served in the Florida Legislature since 2010, but got his start by working hand-in-hand with some of the biggest names in Florida politics.
Corcoran formerly worked as chief of staff to U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio when he served as Speaker of the Florida House and is widely considered a large factor in Rubio’s success, wielding power behind the scenes to catapult Rubio’s name from the Florida to the national stage.
Should Corcoran decide to jump in the race for governor, he’d be facing off against Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam, the only declared Republican candidate --for now. State Sen. Jack Latvala is also rumored to be contemplating a run for the job as well and will make an announcement on his plans later this month.
Putnam, who has served in office since he was 22, has already routed Corcoran in the money chase, raising $10 million for his gubernatorial run so far.
The last three months' numbers indicate, however, that Corcoran isn't far behind in beefing up his war chest to take on the Agriculture Commissioner, should he decide to jump in the race.
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
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