The four leading Republican hopefuls looking to challenge Democrat U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars this quarter, pursuing an incumbent who remains millions ahead.
As he seeks a third term in the U.S. Senate and looks to continue his decades on Floridas political stage, Nelson starts with no small advantage -- raising $1.9 million in the third quarter of 2011. At the end of September, he had about $7.5 million in the bank.
Former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner led the Republican pack in raising money in the quarter -- a fact that his team has been trumpeting. On Friday, the Hasner camp announced it had brought in $535,000 in the third quarter of 2011 and had $786,000 in the bank.
Former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux reeled in almost $403,000 and had more than $1 million on hand.
Floridians are looking to replace liberal Bill Nelson with a common-sense, conservative voice in the U.S. Senate, said Anna Nix, LeMieuxs press secretary, on Friday. George LeMieuxs Senate record opposite Nelsons on taxes, earmarks, illegal immigration and Obamacare is exactly what Republicans need for a victory next November. Thats why so many contributors are supporting our campaign. We look forward to continuing to earn the support of donors and voters in the months ahead.
Central Florida businessman Craig Miller announced on Saturday that his team raised $226,000 during the third quarter of 2011 and kept $145,000 on hand.
"We are exactly where we wanted to be at this stage of the campaign, having exceeded our initial growth expectations, insisted Miller in a statement released late on Friday. We have assembled a strong team and we are building momentum daily. Floridians from around the state are joining the campaign, expressing their support for a U.S. senator who has done more than run for public office. I am humbled by all the support, and will work hard to continue building momentum moving forward.
Retired Army officer and businessman Mike McCalister announced his quarterly total on Monday. McCalister, who took in more than 10 percent when he ran in the 2010 Republican gubernatorial primary, brought in around $71,000 in the third quarter.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or (850) 727-0859.
