Florida taxpayers wrote out checks worth $3.2 million as candidates took advantage of the state’s public financing payments, the first installments of which were dispersed Friday.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill McCollum received $1.26 million in matching funds for his race against Naples multi-millionaire Rick Scott, who is paying for his own campaign and declining public assistance.
Meanwhile, Jeff Atwater, the Republican contender in race to become Florida Chief Financial Officer, received $492,873.
In the attorney general’s race, all major candidates collected some public cash. Here’s the breakdown. Republicans Holly Benson ($249,877); Pam Bondi ($246,259); Jeff Kottkamp, ($259,884); and Democrat Dan Gelber ($353,798).
Last but not least, Adam Putnam, the Republican candidate for Agriculture Commissioner collected $317,813.
Besides Scott, other major candidates not collecting payments Friday included Democratic gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink and other hopefuls Bud Chiles, Daniel Imperato, Farid Khavari, Josue Larose and C.C. Reed. In other races, candidates not collecting cash on Friday included Democratic CFO candidate Loranne Ausley; Democratic AG candidate Dave Aronberg, and Ag commissioner candidates Scott Maddox, a Democrat, and non-affiliated candidate Thad Hamilton.
News Service of Florida
