Bondi's Not the Frontrunner: GOP AG Candidate Hauls in 240k

Pam Bondis attorney general campaign just announced that they raised $240,000 for the first quarter of 2010. This places the Hillsborough County Republican behind three of her rivals who already announced their fundraising from that period.

On the Democratic side, Sen. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, raised $325,000 and Sen. Dave Aronberg, D-Greenacres, raked in $260,000. Republican Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp raised $270,000 in the first quarter. Former Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Holly Benson, a candidate for the Republican nomination, has not yet released her numbers.

The fundraising figures should stop all speculation that Bondi is the favorite in the Republican field. There was talk that Bondi was the frontrunner after a strong fundraising last quarter of 2009 after she exceeded Kottkamps efforts during that period. Besides Kottkamp outraising Bondi by $200,000 during the campaign cycle, the lieutenant governor has been attracting more media attention through his efforts taking on President Obamas cuts to the NASA budget.

Bondi is not out of the race by any means but calling her the frontrunner was premature.The race for the Republican AG nod is still up in the air though Kottkamp appears to have some momentum.

UPDATE: Holly Benson released her numbers shortly after Bondi.Benson just edged out Bondi in fundraising, bringing in $242,000.