More than eight months since withdrawing from the U.S. Senate race, as pressure mounted between the dual jobs of running the Florida Senate and a statewide campaign, Senate President Mike Haridopolos continues to have more cash on hand than any other Republican in the contest.
Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, retained $1.4 million from the $3.5 million he raised for his abandoned campaign as of March 31, according to Federal Election Commission records.
Among Republicans, U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, R-Naples, has $1.38 million on hand, while former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux has $1.19 million.
Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Orlando, currently has $9.5 million in the bank.
Federal election law says the former Senate contender, as with any other federal candidate, can use money remaining from campaigns for a future federal contest, to pay campaign-related expenses including legal bills, and to tap for various causes.
Haridopolos is term-limited from running again for the state Senate this year. Other than planning to continue teaching at the University of Florida, he hasn't publicly expressed future political plans.
He wasn't immediately available for comment Monday.
In October, Haridopolos gave $1,000 to the re-election efforts of Mack and U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge.
The donation to Mack came as the Naples Republican was publicly considering shifting into the Senate race, which he did shortly after receiving Haridopolos contribution.
Haridopolos endorsed Mack in November, returning the favor that Mack had bestowed upon Haridopolos Senate campaign earlier in the year.
In his short foray in the U.S. Senate campaign, Haridopolos amassed more than $3.5 million, mostly through individual contributions.
He publicly announced he was stepping out of the race on July 18, 2011, formally amending his statement of candidacy and announcing he was no longer in the race on Aug. 8.
On the same date, he returned $1,044,724 to 451 individuals and corporate contributors.
An additional $12,000 was returned to eight individuals in the final quarter of 2011.
In the first quarter of 2012, Haridopolos account spent $21,126, with the largest single recipient, $10,000, going to the Tampa-based accounting firm of Robert Watkins & Co.
Five individual contributors also were given refunds in the first quarter worth a combined $5,000.
Another $976 went to the U.S. Treasury.
Phone bills, storage and credit card payments dominated the rest of the expenses paperwork.
The account also picked up $1,088.35 in interest from the Bank of Tampa.
Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889.
