Phil AmmannMore fallout from the battle for the Florida GOP leadership: Gov. Rick Scott took back $580,000 from the Republican Party of Florida.
RPOF Chair Leslie Dougher, endorsed by Scott, lost to newly elected state Rep. Blaise Ingoglia during the RPOF annual meeting in Orlando last Saturday.
As the vote approached, Naples Daily News political reporter Matt Dixon reports it was clear that Dougher’s re-election was not assured. The situation prompting rumors Scott would pull out money he raised for the state party during the past election cycle.
According to state campaign-finance records, on Jan. 16 – one day before chair vote — the RPOF gave $580,000 to Scott’s political committee Let’s Get to Work. Although listed on campaign finance reports as a contribution, it is clear Scott pulled money from the party because of the loss of his chosen candidate.
It is just another blow to the party as Ingoglia takes charge, Dixon writes. Senate Majority, the group that directs GOP Senate campaigns, also took out $800,000, moving it to a committee led by Senate President Andy Gardiner. Along with the exodus of money, there was also the physical departure from RPOF headquarters in Tallahassee, its home since 2000.
Each was due to Dougher’s defeat; Senate leaders supported her.
Amid the drama with party leaders and a revolt by grassroots party elements that brought in Ingoglia, Scott will be dining with Republican state Rep. Richard Corcoran, the House speaker-designate.
Corcoran was instrumental in Ingoglia’s victory.
