Adam Putnam raises $905K in February

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam raised $905,630 for his gubernatorial bid in February, ending the month with nearly $17.5 million on hand.

Putnam is one of three major Republicans running to replace termed-out Gov. Rick Scott in 2018. He faces U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis and House Speaker Richard Corcoran.

Putnam’s campaign finance report is not yet available through the Florida Division of Elections, but his campaign said $636,550 of the February money came in through Putnam’s political committee, Florida Grown, with the other $269,080 coming in through his campaign account.

The two accounts had about $16.8 million on hand at the end of January, putting February spending at approximately $200,000. Florida Grown records show he spent at least $124,000 through his committee last month.

His campaign said more than 99 percent of the February contributions came from Florida individuals and businesses.

Putnam is still far ahead of his rivals in total fundraising, with $24.49 million brought in to date, though he wasn’t the top fundraiser last month.

DeSantis announced earlier this week that he had raised $2 million in February between his campaign account and committee, Friends of Ron DeSantis.

Corcoran, who has not officially entered the race, has raised $6.6 million for his political committee, Watchdog PAC. He had about $5 million of that on hand at the end of January.

Four major Democrats are also running for governor in 2018: Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, Orlando-area businessman Chris King and former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine.

Graham raised $660,000 last month and has raised approximately $6.8 million to date; Levine raised $440,000 last month, plus another $800,000 in candidate contributions for more than $10 million to date; King added $265,000 in February and has raised $3.2 million so far; and Gillum raised $245,000 last month for total of $2.1 million thus far.