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Democratic senator helps GOP fundraiser
©Associated Press TALLAHASSEE -- Incoming state Sen. Gwen Margolis, a Miami Democrat, helped the new Republican state Senate president raise money that went to help defeat Democrats running for the Legislature. Margolis, a former Senate president who is returning to the Legislature after eight years as chairwoman of the Miami-Dade County Commission, admits she wanted to curry favor with Senate President Jim King, R-Jacksonville. "It helps put me in a better position as far as committee priorities and leadership priorities," Margolis said. "I'll do whatever has to be done to take care of my district." Margolis was co-host of an Oct. 9 fundraising event for King, who as the incoming Senate president was in charge of getting Republicans elected to that body. King said the event raised about $60,000. He said it's not possible to know exactly how he spent the money because it went into a central pot used to help Republican candidates. Margolis didn't have a Republican opponent in the Nov. 5 general election. "I can't understand why she would have a fundraiser for the Republicans," said state Sen. Les Miller, D-Tampa. "It could have been used against Richard Mitchell, Bob Butterworth or any of the other Democrats running." Mitchell, an incumbent from North Florida, was defeated by Nancy Argenziano, and Butterworth -- the former state attorney general -- lost a race for a Broward and Palm Beach County Senate seat to Jeff Atwater. Lots of GOP money went into both races. Sen. Ron Klein of Boca Raton, the Democrats' incoming leader, said Margolis' move will put her at odds with Democratic colleagues. "She'll have to earn the trust and confidence of members," Klein said. Margolis, whose district includes Northeast Miami-Dade and a portion of southeast Broward, said she also raised money for Democrats. Republicans now have a 26-14 advantage in the 40-member Senate.
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From the Times state desk
From the state wire
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