The second disbursement of public financing money went out Friday to governor and Cabinet candidates who raise a certain amount on their own and have agreed to spending limits, with Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill McCollum getting a much-needed infusion of cash.
McCollum accepted just over $442,000 to bring his total in public campaign finance money to $1.7 million.
In addition to the public money for agreeing to certain spending limits, candidates whose opponents spend above a certain amount have also been eligible for matching money, though a federal court threw that part of the law into question with a ruling on Friday.
McCollum is the only gubernatorial candidate to accept public money so far.
Democratic candidate Alex Sink has said she hasn’t decided whether to accept the money, and didn’t take any on Friday’s disbursement date. In order to be eligible, Sink would have to agree not to take more than $250,000 from the Democratic Party.
Both chief financial officer candidates took public campaign financing dollars. Republican Jeff Atwater accepted $93,000 on Friday, bringing his total to $586,000. Democrat Loranne Ausley got her first installment of public money, just under $312,000. Democratic attorney general candidate Dave Aronberg received $290,000 and Republican A.G. candidate Pam Bondi got just under $61,000. Agriculture Commissioner candidate Scott Maddox, a Democrat, took $196,000 Friday.
The News Service of Florida
