Atwater raises half million in only 58 days

Published April 17th, 2008

By John Johnston
Managing Editor

Republican Sen. Jeff Atwater -- and in whose District 25 are major portions of the cities of Boca Raton and Delray Beach -- has announced a record breaking fundraising quarter.  Atwater reported raising $511,983 in January and February for his reelection campaign.

The money was raised in “just 58 days,” Atwater said in a prepared release. He explained that, and while the quarter didn’t officially end until March 31, Florida Senate ethics rules forbid fundraising during the 60-day legislative session.

And political pundits say that Atwater will need that much and more for re-election to the far-flung District 25 seat. The district extends as far north as Juno Beach, and as far south as major portions of Fort Lauderdale. 

And it’s toward Fort Lauderdale that Atwater will be looking, because he will face Tamarac resident and former State Sen. Walter “Skip” Campbell in what many are saying will be the biggest legislative fight of the year.

At stake for Atwater is the hope of holding the Florida Senate presidency for two years beginning this fall; Atwater is the designated new Senate President beginning in 2009 if he wins re-election.

And if there was any doubt about the likely ugly tone of the upcoming campaign, Campbell said in January when he announced: "When elected, I will take on the pay-to-play culture that corrupts our state politics and provide a voice for the people of Florida who feel too often neglected by their government.” 

Among the many things for which Campbell is known is his opposition to the insurance industry's attempts to intimidate state regulators into approving higher rates, along with an effort to suspend the state's gas tax to ease high gas prices.  Campbell and another legislator also made many headlines when suing the state Department of Education over the state agency’s handling of temporary workers grading the FCAT exam being found to have inadequate skills.

Summing up his candidacy Campbell said: "Since leaving the Senate, I have watched the Republican-dominated Florida Legislature continue to move in the wrong direction…….the go-along-to-get-along policies have brought our state to the edge of a financial cliff that threatens to topple the quality of life Floridians expect in the Sunshine State and their ability to pay for it.”

All of which Atwater sees as a challenge – but one he’s prepared to take on.

“I’m deeply honored by the strong support the people of Palm Beach and Broward County and beyond have shown my campaign,” said Atwater said. “We’ve received donations from people in all walks of life and I thank them for their vital support.”

Atwater said the $511,983 was raised from over 1,400 donors, with an average contribution of around $360. This represents record fundraising levels for a Florida State Senate campaign, rivaled by only Atwater’s 4th quarter 2007 total of over $550,000.