Gov. Charlie Crist fell further behind Republican rival Marco Rubio in the second quarter fund-raising race, garnering $1.8 million in contributions to Rubio's $4.5 million in the campaign for U.S. Senate.
While Rubio's war chest continues to grow, Crist's fund-raising fortunes have dwindled since he estranged himself from the Republican Party. During his first fund-raising quarter last year, as a Republican, Crist collected $4 million. At that time, Rubio was 35 percentage points behind Crist in the polls.
In an effort to climb back in the money chase, the independent Crist has begun courting Democratic supporters in hopes of tapping their wallets.
In Orlando last month, the governor attended a reception headlined by three prominent Democrats: Bob Hattaway, a former state representative; Jim Pugh, a real estate developer and major fund-raiser for the Clintons; and John Morgan, a personal-injury lawyer and longtime Crist supporter.
Democrats say privately that they're keeping their options open as the party's chief candidates, billionaire Jeff Greene and U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, languish in polling for a three-way race this fall.
Greene reported that he spent $5.8 million of his own money, while Meek raised $1 million.
Despite official denials at the state and national level, speculation persists that the Democratic Party will ultimately funnel resources into Crist's campaign -- if it isn't already -- or withhold outlays to a Democratic nominee who cannot win.
Even before bolting the Republican Party, Crist began tacking to the left, taking Democratic positions on key legislation at the 2010 session. His veto of the teacher performance pay bill signaled his departure from the party, infuriating GOP leaders, including state Party Chairman John Thrasher, who sponsored the measure.
After quitting the GOP, Crist also vetoed an ultrasound bill promoted by pro-life Republicans. And though a longtime supporter of gun rights, Crist has removed any mention of the Second Amendment from his campaign Web site.
Sidling toward Democrats may make dollars and sense for Crist. With no love lost among Republicans, some jilted donors have demanded that he return their early contributions.
Tom Grady, a state legislator who was once a Crist supporter, filed a lawsuit on behalf of donors in Naples.
Crist's curt response: "The money's gone."
But Republicans aren't taking that for an answer, noting that Crist claimed to have a healthy $8.2 million in the bank at the end of June.
--
Contact Kenric Ward at kward@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 801-5341.
