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The Buzz: Florida politics

For Democrats, fundraising numbers are worth a cheer

By Times staff writers
Published January 15, 2006

Success is relative - especially when it comes to Florida Democrats. New fundraising reports once again show Republicans dramatically outraising Democrats in Florida - five to one in the governor's race - but that's not stopping many Democrats from crowing about their recent money-raising.

"These are great numbers when Republicans control 100 percent of state government," state Democratic chairwoman Karen Thurman said of the nearly $1.8-million the state party raised in the final three months of 2005 (the state GOP raised $4.9-million). "Money doesn't go to the party out of power, and the fact that we have been raising the money we have been able to raise in the last two quarters shows how people see there's a real opportunity out there to change this state and make some strides. People are tired of a state where there's no debate."

It's predictable spin for the party's chief cheerleader, but plenty of Republican strategists quietly and warily acknowledge Thurman has reason for optimism given the political climate nationally for Republicans. A look at the Democratic fundraising in some down-ballot races shows how Democrats are not nearly as financially shaky as usual.

The lone Democrat in the race for attorney general, state Sen. Walter "Skip" Campbell of Broward County, has outraised three of the four Republicans running. The lone Democrat running for chief financial officer, retired banking executive Alex Sink of Hillsborough County, has raised nearly $430,000, compared with $371,000 for state Rep. Randy Johnson of Celebration and nearly $940,000 for state Senate President Tom Lee of Valrico.

ANOTHER DEMOCRATIC DEFECTION: Republicans last week welcomed the newest member of their ranks: state Rep. Shari McInvale, 50, of Orlando, who has been a Democratic House member since 2002. Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings and GOP chairwoman Carole Jean Jordan were on hand for the announcement with dozens of rank-and-file Republican House members.

"This was the time to make the switch," McInvale told a press conference. She said the Republican Party has a vigorous policy agenda, and "my voting record won't change," even though she is moving up front from the minority's back-bench status in the House. She insisted her switch was not induced by promises of political support. "I have struck no deals," McInvale said.

McInvale's District 36, in and around downtown Orlando, is solidly Democratic by registration, but McInvale claims that more of them tend to vote Republican (an assertion not reflected in the performance of the district's voters). The lawmaker said about 20 percent of the voters in the district are gay or lesbian, and she will continue to support legislation aimed at allowing gays to adopt.

Standing outside the Capitol after McInvale's announcement was Scott Randolph, one of two Democrats who had challenged McInvale. Noting that he had more cash on hand than the incumbent, Randolph said McInvale "misled" the voters for four years and now, facing a tough re-election, has run to "big, corporate special interests to protect her."

MARY BONO AND CONNIE MACK: Connie Mack IV won a seat in Congress in 2004 touting family values and his family's commitment to Lee County in southwest Florida. But his estranged wife of nine years says in divorce papers that the son of Florida's former senator moved his family into Fort Myers in 2004, though Mack had said they moved there a year earlier, the Fort Myers News-Press reported last week.

The former state representative from Fort Lauderdale filed for divorce in August and is currently dating U.S. Rep. Mary Bono, the widow of the late pop star-turned California congressman. In a bitter court fight with his wife, Mack is trying to get her and their two children, ages 3 and 5, to move to Lee County. She wants to move back to Fort Lauderdale and argues she has little of a support system in Fort Myers. He told the News-Press that is wife is mistaken about when she moved to Lee County.

JEB'S PR ARMY: In the aftermath of the Florida Supreme Court striking down Florida's "Opportunity Scholarship" voucher program, Gov. Jeb Bush on Saturday urged people on his e-mail list to write letters to newspapers praising the voucher program. "The activist court's decision also denies hundreds of parents the opportunity to send their child to a school they believe improves their child's chances for success," he wrote.

CRIST'S TEAM: The Charlie Crist gubernatorial campaign is building its grass roots organization, and last week announced county organizational committees for Sarasota, Brevard and Broward counties. Among the notable names and veteran Bush-Cheney activists, we noted the support of Dr. Alan D. Mendelson of Broward, a big political player who apparently is not buying (or at least worried about) the rap that Crist is too close to trial lawyers.

COPS FOR SMITH: The Rod Smith Democratic gubernatorial campaign announced the endorsement of a third police union last week, the International Union of Police Associations Florida which touts more than 5,000 members in Florida representing 12 different state law enforcement agencies.

"We endorse Rod Smith because he is the only Democratic candidate who knows what its like to wear a badge, carry a gun and flash a blue light. As a former state attorney and labor lawyer Rod Smith has spent a good portion of his life on the front lines working hand in hand with law enforcement officers to keep Florida safe," the organization's Kathy Merritt said of the state senator from Alachua.

THE NEW YEAR: Jennifer O'Malley, campaign manager for the Jim Davis gubernatorial campaign, sent out a "confidential" memo to key supporters about the state of the Democratic campaign:

"With the state of the new year, it's time to look back on 2005 and share with you our many successes as well as look forward to 2006 and the great opportunities we have before us. When Jim Davis began his campaign in February he set some ambitious goals: (1) raise $1-million in 2005, (2) build a statewide campaign organization, (3) visit all 67 Florida counties, (4) continue to lead on issues important to Floridians in the U.S. Congress, including the prevention of offshore oil drilling. We are happy to report that we not only met our goals, but we exceeded them."

CREATIVE ACCOUNTING? Meanwhile, the Smith campaign said it met its goals for 2005, so we were a little surprised to see a November fundraising letter from Rod Smith saying that the campaign would raise $2-million in 2005. The campaign in fact reported raising $1.3-million last year. Campaign manager Paul Neaville said the $2-million included money Smith raised for the state party and matching money Smith is eligible to receive under the state public campaign financing system.

GUS AND GUS: Gus Stavros, the longtime Pinellas businessman and philanthropist (and occasional contributor to Democrats), is taking a leadership role in Gus Bilirakis' campaign to succeed his father in Congress.

"It is my privilege to serve as the campaign chairman for the Gus Bilirakis Campaign," Stavros said in a statement. "Gus has worked tirelessly in the state Legislature to increase funds for vocational training in our public school system. His work as a state representative is an excellent indication of the great work that he will accomplish at the national level."

Adam C. Smith and Steve Bousquet contributed to this week's Buzz. For more political news, check out www.sptimes.com/blogs/buzz

[Last modified January 15, 2006, 01:46:05]