Though weather prevented former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney from meeting with Gov. Rick Scott, Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, and officials from the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF), the once and probably future candidate for the Republican presidential nomination continued to set the stage for his campaign in Florida.
Romney had scheduled time on Thursday to meet with Scott, whom he campaigned for in the 2010 election cycle, as well as RPOF Chairman Dave Bitner and Haridopolos who is planning on running in the Republican primary to take on Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012.
While inclement weather prevented Romney from arriving, the former Massachusetts governor --who ranks near the top of most of the early polls --unveiled a wave of contributions to Republican congressional candidates across the nation on Thursday. This marks the third time so far in 2011 that Free and Strong America PAC, a leadership group with ties to Romney, sent out mass donations.
On Thursday, Free and Strong America sent out $93,000 to 45 Republicans across the nation, including four Republican congressional incumbents from Florida.
There are many important issues facing Congress and the nation, said Romney. By showing our support for Republican candidates who are fighting for conservative principles in Washington, we hope to influence the national debate on jobs, taxes, the economy and the budget.
The PAC gave contributions of $2,000 apiece to U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster and U.S. Rep. Allen West. Romney had backed all four of the congressmen during the 2010 election cycles.
Free and Strong America sent out contributions to U.S. Rep. Connie Mack in February and, earlier in March, contributed to the re-election efforts of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and four Florida Republicans in the U.S. House: Sandy Adams, Mario Diaz-Balart, Rich Nugent and Dennis Ross.
In this latest wave of contributions, Romney backed only one U.S. Senate candidate -- U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg who is running against Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester.
Politico reported late on Wednesday that Free and Strong America PAC would send $5,000 to Haridopolos U.S. Senate campaign but corrected the story on Thursday, noting that the PAC would not contribute to the Florida Senate presidents bid. While Romney was supposed to meet with Haridopolos on Thursday, Romneys camp appears to be sitting out the Republican primary to take on Nelson for the moment. A host of other Republicans -- including former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, Mack, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, Webster, former House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, businessman Nick Loeb and businessman Mike McCalister -- are also looking at running in the primary.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850)727-0859.
