Phil Ammann
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will briefly step off his presidential campaign trail to raise money for the state Republican Party, something the current governor seems hesitant to do.
Bush will headline a Tampa fundraiser Friday, Dec. 11, in support of the Republican Party of Florida. The $1,000 per person event, hosted by RPOF Chair Blaise Ingoglia. The funder begins with a 5 p.m. VIP reception and photo opportunity at the Centre Club, on the eighth floor of 123 South Westshore Blvd. The general reception begins at 5:30 p.m.
Even as Bush, a steadfast RPOF supporter, lends considerable star power for the event, recent polling suggests Republican voters in the nation’s largest battleground state may not return the favor, leaning slightly toward fellow Floridian U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio or political outsider Donald Trump.
In addition, Gov. Rick Scott has openly cooled his relationship with the RPOF, instead opting to raise money for Let’s Get to Work, his own political committee. This leaves newly minted House Speaker Richard Corcoran as the top Republican elected official actively fundraising for the state party. Corcoran is also a longtime Bush backer.
“Jeb has always supported the RPOF,” Bush representative Kristy Campbell told Adam Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. “The Chairman asked the Governor a little while back to help raise funds for the party and he is glad to. A strong party infrastructure Florida is critical to Republicans’ success in 2016.”
