To be sure, Hamilton is a more serious candidate for Democrats than William Rankin who is running against Jeff Atwater in the CFO contest. Democrats like Charlie Crist, George Sheldon and Allison Tant have no problem featuring Hamilton at campaign events. That stands in sharp contrast with Rankin whose background is, at best, questionable. Hamilton served in the Army and worked for the federal Agriculture Department for years. He also chaired the Broward Soil and Water Commission. Hamilton is also the only African-American candidate running for statewide office in Florida this year.
But if there are plenty of reasons for Democrats to acknowledge and even honor Hamilton to some extent, they arent exactly flocking to his banner or throwing money his way. By the end of August, Hamilton had brought in less than $18,900, relied on $13,140 in loans and spent more than $24,050. Thats not exactly going to cut it in Florida with its many media markets stretching across its 67 counties.
Putnam, on the other hand, has raised more than $2.75 million, relied on almost $800,000 of in-kind donations and spent around $480,000. In 2010, Putnam claimed 56 percent of the vote when he beat Democrat Scott Maddox to win the office, and his time in Tallahassee hasnt exactly been in the spotlight as hes focused on issues like using local produce for school lunches and water management.
But Putnam has a slim lead over his Democrat opponent unlike Pam Bondi, who faces a more serious opponent in Sheldon or Atwater. Part of that comes from the poll. PPP sampled more Democrats than Republicans which is not how the vote usually goes in off-year elections in Florida.
Even still, Putnam cant be pleased with his margin over Hamilton. Only 40, Putnam is a candidate for higher office down the road. With plenty of other Republicans thinking of moving up the ladder -- like Atwater, Will Weatherford and several others -- Putnam needs a big win over Hamilton to prove he remains a force to be reckoned with at the state level.
That being the case, Putnam will get more active in the weeks to come despite Hamilton being not well-known. Putnam will boost fellow Republicans from Rick Scott to congressional candidates to familiar faces in the Legislature as he looks ahead to a future gubernatorial or possible Senate bid down the road. Last week, Putnam endorsed Carol Platt who is running against Alan Grayson and he has campaigned with Scott in recent days.
Putnam is a heavy favorite to win in November -- but a margin of victory, like PPP is suggesting, simply wont help him. Look for Putnam to go all out in the final weeks of the campaign.
Tallahassee-based political writer Jeff Henderson wrote this analysis exclusively for Sunshine State News.
