Danny McAuliffe
Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam had his highest fundraising month in March, grossing $2.28 million between his campaign account and his Florida Grown PAC.
The Florida Division of Elections database shows Putnam raised $504,464 for his campaign account last month. His PAC numbers, reported Friday, showed a March tally of $1.77 million.
To date, 10,993 contributors have supported the Agriculture Commissioner’s bid for the Governor’s Mansion. More than 8,000 contributors have come in at small-dollar amounts ($500 or less). Ninety-six percent of all contributions have come from inside the Sunshine State. Campaign spokeswoman Amanda Bevis attributed those stats to Putnam’s ‘Florida First’ approach, a recurring theme of the candidacy.
“Our supporters want a Governor who knows Florida best and will always put Florida First, and that’s why Adam Putnam is their choice,” Bevis said.
Putnam’s next-highest hauls all took place in 2017 when he brought in $2.248 million in February, $2.208 million in May and $2.127 million in June.
Topping Putnam’s campaign donor roll were several agriculture-related contributors. In particular, citrus. Of 57 $3,000 contributions, thirteen came from citrus growers and interests, totaling $39,000.
Putnam’s campaign account last month spent over $164,000, a large bulk of which (approximately $120,000) was spent on publishing, mailing and postage.
In total, Putnam’s camp and PAC have hauled in $26.77 and has $19.26 million cash on hand between both accounts.
As Drew Wilson of Florida Politics reported, the next closest candidate is Democrat Philip Levine, who had raised $11 million thus far. Putnam will square up against U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis in the Aug. 28 Republican primary. Other Democrats vying for their party’s nod include former Congresswoman Gwen Graham, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum and Orlando businessman Chris King.
