A.G. Gancarski
The gubernatorial campaign of Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam continues apace, with $13.4M raised between the campaign account and Putnam’s “Florida Grown” political committee.
That money helps obscure minor staff moves, like the dumping of a campaign manager in late-May … a story FloridaPolitics.com brought to you first.
And more money is on the way, courtesy of deep-pocketed Jacksonville-area donors on June 13.
“Putnam is coming to Ponte Vedra. A small reception will be held at the home of Dr. John Lazzara on June 13 from 6:00-8:30 pm. Proceeds will support Adam Putnam for Governor,” writes Chris Lazzara in an email to Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry.
A “select group” will attend this event, Chris Lazzara adds.
Putnam was in Jacksonville Beach in May, on a 10-day/22-stop barnstorming bus tour. And he had a legendary name by his side: former Rep. Ander Crenshaw.
When we asked Putnam for specifics about Northeast Florida, and what he would bring to the region, Putnam took a high-level view.
“Northeast Florida,” said Putnam, “is a critically important part of the state’s economy. And the state’s political base. Northeast Florida has a unified business community, and they send hardworking men and women to Tallahassee and Washington.”
“So whether it’s the jobs that Northeast Florida continues to attract, the importance of the port, the importance of the river, Northeast Florida is and will always be an important part of the state’s political conversation, and most importantly, the state’s economy,” Putnam added.
Putnam may not be a hot quote, but the Northeast Florida donor class seems to be with him — a critical point.
If Rep. Ron DeSantis gets in the race for governor, as his camp asserts is at least possible, DeSantis would need Jacksonville support.
Word on the street, however, is that DeSantis’ often-aloof personality could hold him back; at least one key source has described DeSantis in robustly scatological terms when asked about the Congressman’s chances with the Northeast Florida donor class.
