From the SP Times: We’re not sure Floridians’ hearts will necessarily swell with pride, but our governor is on his way to becoming one of the top campaign money raisers ever. In a lousy economy, Gov. Charlie Crist hauled in $4.3 million for his Republican Senate campaign.
For perspective, consider that the average amount raised by Senate candidates through the entire 2008 election cycle was $2.4 million. Or that the old record for a Senate fundraising quarter was $1.7 million by Mel Martinez in 2004. Or that the top fundraising quarter for Jeb Bush was $2.7 million, when he was a popular sitting governor with a brother in the White House.
Crist raised $86,000 a day on average, nearly enough to cover the average salaries of two Florida teachers. That’s $3,583 every hour — six times the per-capita stimulus spending in Florida.
Just think what Crist could do for Florida’s budget shortfall next year if he hit the fundraising circuit again for general revenue.
