McCollum, a Republican who announced his candidacy for governor on May 18, has worked an average of about 22 hours a week since May 1, the records show.
During the same period, McCollum has averaged nearly 17 hours a week of “personal time” during normal business hours.
He has worked 178 hours – including a nine-hour stint on June 17 in his official capacity as state attorney general at the Florida Cattlemen’s Association Convention – since May 1. He has logged 135 hours of “personal time” between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the same time period.
McCollum, who earns $131,605 a year, is on the job even when he’s not officially working, spokeswoman Sandi Copes wrote in an e-mail.
“Bill McCollum is engaged on a daily basis as Florida’s Attorney General; he talks to staff about litigation and operations every day, even when he’s off the clock. Thanks!” Copes wrote.
Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, a Democrat who is McCollum’s chief rival for governor, has taken 68 hours of personal time – an average of eight hours a week – during the same period. She has logged 262 hours on official business over the past eight weeks, an average of about 33 hours per week.
Sink also earns an annual salary of $131,605.
“Alex Sink’s highest priority is always her work and service to the people of Florida as CFO,” spokeswoman Kyra Jennings wrote in an e-mail.
Both Cabinet members’ schedules include official time spent at social events such as receptions and dinners. Official schedules can be deceiving, cautioned GOP political consultant Rick Wilson, who is not associated with McCollum’s campaign.
“When you’re a statewide office-holder, you’re basically on 24/7 regardless,” Wilson said. “Running for office and running as a statewide official is hard work. It’s not a shocker that it takes up an awful lot of time.”
