Greene’s green disrupts Florida governor’s race
What follows are important paragraphs from a Politico article written by Marc Caputo where he explains what is occurring on the money side of the Democratic primary in the race for Florida governor. A race which is far from being decided.
A self-funded billionaire who jumped into the race late and in one month (yes! one month) has spent $10 million of his own money has suddenly become a significant player in the race to replace outgoing governor Rick Scott.
In the end, we believe, Jeff Greene’s entrance into the race will hurt former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, who until now had been leading the race, and propel Gwen Graham to become the Democratic nominee. There’s one month to go and things can change, though.
- – Progreso Weekly
*****
Billionaire Jeff Greene has quickly pulled into third place in the crowded Democratic field for Florida governor after entering the primary at the last minute, dropping almost $10.2 million on television in just one month, siphoning votes from the primary’s one-time front-runner and promising to spread his money around the party.
Greene’s rapid disruption of the race has left Florida political experts wondering how many more millions he’ll spend — and at whom he’ll take aim.
Before Greene joined the five-candidate race, Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine dominated the advertising airwaves and was the clear front-runner.
But now, Levine is either trailing or tied with former Rep. Gwen Graham for first, according to multiple polls that were shared exclusively with POLITICO. The surveys indicate that Greene has sapped some of Levine’s support and that he has moved into third place as he continues to rise.
Greene is worth $3.3 billion and his candidacy could have an outsized effect across Florida if he wins the August 28 primary, given that he has pledged to essentially finance state and federal Democratic candidates for office. But he’ll only do that if he’s nominated, he said.
[…]
The consultant class has taken note. And in the era of President Donald Trump, who was once seen as unelectable by political elites, the idea of Gov. Jeff Greene no longer seems far-fetched to many.
[…]
…Greene’s impact on the race has been profound. His $10.2 million in ad spending in just over a month has pulled him within striking distance of Levine, who has spent almost $15 million in eight months.
Graham, who has spent about $4.7 million since early June, drew 24 percent and first place in an Associated Industries of Florida poll of 800 likely Florida voters that was finished last week and shared exclusively with POLITICO. Levine is in second with 16 percent and Greene and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum are essentially tied at 13 and 12 percent respectively, with Orlando businessman Chris King in last at 4 percent.
As Greene’s favorability ratings and poll numbers have risen in AIF’s recent surveys, Levine’s polling has slipped.
[…]
Graham and Levine are essentially tied at 28 and 27 percent, respectively, in another survey of 506 likely Democratic voters that Democratic pollster Keith Frederick conducted for an unnamed client not involved in the race. The poll, also shared exclusively with POLITICO, showed Greene at 23 percent, Gillum at 15 percent and King at 7 percent. And two other surveys shared with POLITICO show Graham slightly leading Levine, with Greene polling around 13 percent and Gillum and King in fourth.
Greene and Levine draw from similar pools of voters. They’re both wealthy, self-financed Jewish candidates from South Florida. […]
To read the complete Politico article by Marc Caputo, click here.
