A member of the inner circle of former Democratic governor candidate Rod Smith is starting a committee to raise money -- for Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist.
BY BETH REINHARD
breinhard@MiamiHerald.com
Loyalists to former Democratic governor candidate Rod Smith, refusing to get behind party nominee Jim Davis, said Monday they are setting up a fundraising committee for the Republican candidate for governor.
The new formed Coalition for Bipartisan Progress puts a dent in today's demonstration of Democratic unity, in which Davis will rally with Smith for the first time since winning the Sept. 5 primary. The GOP nominee, Charlie Crist, campaigned with his primary rival just two days after the election.
The new committee could hurt Davis more than help Crist, who boasts a substantial fundraising edge. Last week, Crist picked up $1.2 million, while Davis collected $148,000.
The group is registered with the state as an ''electioneering communications organization,'' or ECO, which can collect ''soft'' money not limited under state law. The ECO can run ads that promote Crist -- coordinated with his campaign -- or tear down Davis.
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