Sink ahead of McCollum in fundraising

By Jim Ash
Florida Capital Bureau Chief

Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, the Democratic frontrunner for governor, leads her Republican rival, Attorney General Bill McCollum, in the ever important money race.

According to figures released by the campaigns late Friday, Sink raised $1.28 million in the quarter that ended Aug. 30. McCollum reported $1.06 million.

It's good news for Sink, but the number has to be qualified. Sink has been raising money since January, when she opened an account for re-election. After expenditures, Sink has $2.1 million cash on hand.

McCollum has been fundraising for 43 days.

"I am overwhelmed by the continued outpouring of support from everyday Floridians who are ready for a new and different kind of leader," Sink said in an e-mail to supporters. "Floridians are coming together to send a clear message that they are tired of politics as usual in Tallahassee."

McCollum also issued a triumphant e-mail.

"In the six weeks since announcing our campaign to be Florida's next governor, we have been overwhelmed with the tremendous response across Florida," McCollum wrote. "I am humbled by this early show of support during these tough economic times, and look forward to delivering our message for a better Florida in the months ahead."

Both Sink and McCollum are the subject of ethics complaints that allege they used state aircraft for personal travel. Moments after she announced her fundraising totals, Sink also announced that her own internal review of her state travel cleared her of any wrong doing.

The review was conducted by Sink's chief of staff, Jim Cassady.

"The review found that all flights were made in conjunction with official ... business. In the rare instances when I was accompanied by a member of my immediate family on a state airplane, I promptly asked (the Department of Management Services) to bill me for the cost, and paid the state out of my personal funds as required," Sink said in a written statement.

In a different race, Sen. Dave Aronberg kept his promise about topping his friend, fellow Democrat and opponent, Sen. Dan Gelber, in the money race for the Democratic nomination attorney general.

Aronberg, who lives in Greenacres and whose district includes Lee County, blasted an e-mail to his supporters early Friday saying he has raised $170,000 in three weeks.

"Wow - and thank you. Without your commitment and without your belief in our campaign, this would not have happened," Aronberg wrote.

Gelber, of Miami Beach, recently sent a similar e-mail to supporters that claimed he raised $150,000.

Still no word from Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp. The Republican and former North Fort Myers lawmaker is expected to be the immediate frontrunner if he formally announces his candidacy for attorney general, as expected.

Also weighing a bid is Agency for Health Care Administration chief Holly Benson, a Republican and former lawmaker from Pensacola.