Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Crist plays Trump card in bid for governor

The celebrity billionaire throws his support behind the attorney general during a fundraiser in New York.

By LUCY MORGAN
Published June 15, 2005

NEW YORK - Billionaire Donald Trump left no doubt Tuesday night who he wants to be Florida's next governor.

On the garden level of the tower that bears his name, Trump joined 200 others who threw their support behind Republican Attorney General Charlie Crist.

"A friend told me about his record," Trump said. "I checked him out. I met him, I liked him, and I said I could help.

Trump said he may campaign for Crist in Florida.

Trump, star of The Apprentice, has good reason to support a Florida gubernatorial candidate.

"I have a lot of things going in Florida," he said. "I only care about who is going to be a great governor, and I think Charlie is going to make a great governor."

Trump noted that his 52-story Trump Tower under construction in Tampa is sold out. He said he has other interests in Miami and Palm Beach.

Crist said he first met Trump at a 1998 charity gathering in South Florida and was reintroduced to him last month in New York.

Trump asked what he could do to help, and Crist suggested Trump could help raise money for a race that is expected to be the most expensive governor's campaign in Florida history.

Crist faces Chief Finance Officer Tom Gallagher in the Republican primary in September 2006. The Democratic primary includes U.S. Rep. Jim Davis of Tampa, state Sen. Rod Smith of Alachua and former Tallahassee Mayor Scott Maddox.

The crowd Tuesday included Steve Swindal, son-in-law of New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, as well as corporate executives and lobbyists who have interests in Florida.

Trump noted that Steinbrenner sent him flowers Tuesday, his 59th birthday, just to aggravate him.

Crist brought along a Florida-shaped birthday cake for Trump, who handed it over to his chef to protect.

Brent Sembler, finance director of the campaign, and several other St. Petersburg Republicans were among those attending. Crist's father, Dr. Charles J. Crist Sr., and mother were making their first visit to New York City.

Trump was a big draw for Floridians who made the trip to New York to meet the billionaire-turned-television star.

The crowd practically mobbed Trump as he tried to move from one place to another, urging him to pose for pictures and autograph copies of his book.

Crist also gave Trump a Florida flag so he can remind everyone of his interest in the state.

Lobbyists Brian Ballard, Tom Panza and Republican fundraiser Husein Cumber, a railroad executive from Broward County, also made the trip to New York.

Cumber, a key fundraiser for President Bush, recently married Meredith O'Rourke, a key Crist staffer.

[Last modified June 15, 2005, 00:42:08]