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Florida Governor Candidates Set Up "Independent" Groups for Mudslinging

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Florida's governor candidates are using independent groups to handle some of the mudslinging in the Republican primary, a move that critics say is the result of last summer's hard-hitting war in Senate District 8, where former House Speaker John Thrasher won the seat of the late Sen. Jim King. These groups, known as 527s, are allowed to accept unlimited donations and have been a concern for campaign finance watchdogs. Both Attorney General Bill McCollum and businessman Rick Scott have set up these groups to counter each other's strengths and weaknesses in the primary.

Key Takeaways:

  • Attorney General Bill McCollum and businessman Rick Scott have set up "independent" groups, known as 527s, to handle some of the mudslinging in the Republican primary.
  • These groups allow for unlimited donations and have been a concern for campaign finance watchdogs.
  • The groups are used to counter each other's strengths and weaknesses in the primary.
  • McCollum's campaign has been adamant that it's only looking to raise money for the groups, while Scott's campaign has used the organization to hold down spending and avoid triggering a provision of the law that would allow McCollum to draw down additional public financing.
  • The Legislature passed a law this year requiring increased reporting by the 527s about their financing and coordination.
  • Ben Wilcox, a board member for Common Cause Florida, said that without limits on donations, the reporting could actually prompt more contributions to the groups.
  • Other high-profile political candidates, such as Gov. Charlie Crist, have also used 527s in their campaigns, but federal rules prohibit candidates for federal office from coordinating with them.
  • McCollum has filed paperwork with the Florida Division of Elections to work with at least two of the organizations: the Florida First Initiative and the Sunshine State Freedom Fund.
  • The Florida First Initiative received $727,000 in donations from a committee controlled by incoming House Speaker Dean Cannon.
  • Scott's group, "Let's Get to Work," has a $1.5 million media buy, financed by a $2 million contribution from Scott's wife's trust fund.
  • The candidates have accused each other of breaking or skirting campaign finance reporting laws.

Statistics:

  • 527s are allowed to accept unlimited donations.
  • $727,000 was donated to the Florida First Initiative from a committee controlled by incoming House Speaker Dean Cannon.
  • $2 million was donated to Scott's group, "Let's Get to Work," from Scott's wife's trust fund.
  • $1.5 million was spent by Scott's group, "Let's Get to Work," on media buys.

Sources:

  • Brandon Larrabee, "Florida governor candidates set up 'independent' groups for mudslinging," The Florida Times-Union, July 07.
  • Ben Wilcox, "Common Cause Florida," quoted in The Florida Times-Union, July 07.
  • Kristy Cambpell, spokeswoman for Bill McCollum's campaign, quoted in The Florida Times-Union, July 07.
  • John French, coordinator for Rick Scott's campaign, quoted in The Florida Times-Union, July 07.

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