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Rival challenges Lee to reject soft money

The Senate president's opponent, Rep. Randy Johnson, has vowed not to use 527 funds in his campaign for CFO.

By STEVE BOUSQUET
Published January 27, 2006

TALLAHASSEE - State Rep. Randy Johnson called on Senate President Tom Lee Friday to promise not to spend money from an unregulated political fund he controls in his campaign for chief financial officer.

Johnson, who opposes Lee in the Republican primary for CFO, signed the pledge, vowing not to use or create a so-called 527 group to promote his candidacy. A 527 fund, named for the federal tax code provision that allows them, can take contributions in unlimited quantities to support or oppose candidates.

Johnson's effort to force Lee to sever ties with his 527 fund follow a report in Sunday's St. Petersburg Times in which some questioned Lee's commitment to campaign finance reform in light of his own soft-money account.

Johnson has filed a bill (HB 833) to bar the use of a 527 fund for any purpose other than its stated intent.

"This just asks for good intentions," Johnson said of his pledge. "I am conducting my campaign under the $500 rule."

Lee has his own 527, called Floridians Uniting for a Stronger Tomorrow, that collected $1.1-million to shield GOP senators from attacks in the 2004 elections. But the money was never spent. Dozens of donors gave more than $5,000 each and one gave $50,000.

The checks are listed online at www.flust.com

Lee has not said whether he would use the money to promote his statewide ambitions. In an interview this week he said: "None of this money would ever be used for purposes other than for which it was raised without the consent of the donors."

Lee issued a statement Friday that ignored Johnson's call for him to sign a pledge.

Lee said he would "pragmatically and responsibly" seek campaign reforms, "and I am not interested in simply advocating for opportunistic, self-serving reforms that will benefit my own candidacy for statewide office."

Johnson, R-Celebration, conceded that his pledge would not prevent a 527 from forming on its own to run ads supporting Johnson or opposing Lee.

Johnson had his own soft-money account, The Citizens for Florida's Future, which closed two years ago. Formed under state election laws, the fund collected $112,000, including checks of $10,000 each from two billboard companies, Disney Worldwide Services and Florida Auto Auction of Orlando.

Steve Bousquet can be reached at bousquet@sptimes.com or 850 224-7263.

[Last modified January 27, 2006, 18:03:02]