Candidates dip into coffers early in crowded race for U.S. Senate

[Freddie Stubbs]

By John Kennedy | Tallahassee Bureau
Posted May 18, 2004

TALLAHASSEE -- During 20 years in Congress, Republican Bill McCollum was known as a champion of business, getting high marks from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other groups lobbying Capitol Hill.

But for the past year, he has been running his own million-dollar enterprise. The main product: Bill McCollum.

Making his second bid for the U.S. Senate, McCollum has spent more than $1.3 million traveling the state, attending Republican club functions, sending out mailers, staffing an Orlando office and otherwise pitching himself to Florida voters.

McCollum isn't alone. He is among a crowded field of Senate candidates in a race certain to be one of the most expensive in Florida history, as the contenders hurtle toward a winner-take-all primary Aug. 31 that will set the field for November.

more: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-asecsenatecash18051804may18,1,6266312.story

[Rationality]

1. One thing I found surprising:

I was expecting Mel Martinez - the Bush Administration's favorite candidate - to be in the financial lead. However, it's Johnnie Byrd, who collected $2.37 million to McCollum's $2.34M and Martinez's $1.72M (Byrd also has $1.59M on hand to Martinez's $1.47...)

Meanwhile, Peter Deutsch tops 'em all with $3.54M collected and, when combined with his House account, has $4.64M.

If money can make a race, Deutsch should keep Graham's seat in the Dem column... but Byrd taking the Republican nomination? :wtf:

[TSIAS]

2. That surprised me as well

I've considered Byrd a long-shot in this race. My instinct tells me that he'd be the easiest nominee to beat. However, I'd hate to see him actually win the general. I'd call him the Tom Delay of Florida. Probably one of the worst ideologues in the nation.

[Freddie Stubbs]

3. Martinez may be behind because of his late entry into the race

He could not start raising money until he gave up his federal job.

Byrd has a lot of money, but a lot of his supporters have jumped ship because of the heavy-handed way he conducted himself as speaker. He is also behind in the polls.

[seasat]

4. It doesn't suprise me that Byrd leads in money.

He's done some many favors for large corporate donors that there is no doubt he can shake them down for contributions. The computer firms involved in state contracting come to mind. I wonder if a Florida Newspaper will ever compare his contributors and legislative favors they recieved. Of course he learned this by example from Jebbie.