Bill Nelson Starts With Large Financial Edge on Connie Mack but There are Other Factors

As he gears up to seek a third term in the U.S. Senate, Democrat incumbent Bill Nelson raised $1.8 million in the second quarter of 2012.

With almost $11 million in the bank, Nelson has a large financial advantage over the campaign of U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, the favorite to win the Republican nomination in the Aug. 14 primary. Mack brought in less than half of what Nelson raised in the second quarter, raising less than $840,000. With less than $1.4 million in the bank, Mack should be able to increase the pace of his fundraising, especially as former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, who had been his main opponent for the Republican nomination, dropped out of the race late in the second quarter.

Still, with super-PACs and other groups lining up behind both candidates, this is one of those races where the campaigns financial statements are only part of the equation. Floridians should expect to see a lot of ads from both sides after Labor Day.