If there's a Coachella festival for Florida GOP fundraising, it just might be the one March 2 at the Governor's Club.
Perhaps in an effort to put up a united front to blunt rumors of dysfunction within the party since Rep. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, was elected its chair, the Republican Party of Florida has come up with a star-studded lineup.
Jeb Bush? Check. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio? Got it. Rick Scott? Yep. Commissioner Adam Putnam? Done.
The date is no accident. March 2 is the last day lawmakers can raise money before the 60-day legislative session begins on March 3. So expect a flurry of last-minute cash to flow into RPOF coffers from lobbyists hoping to make a good impression before the gavel drops.
It's also the coming-out party for Ingoglia, who took over the reins of the party last month, pushing aside Scott's choice, Leslie Dougher. Should be interesting to see him mingling with Scott, who pulled out $580,000 of his money from the RPOF the day before Dougher lost, and Senate President Andy Gardiner, another guest, who has moved the Senate's campaign money out from under RPOF control.
On Tuesday, Gardiner downplayed any tensions in the RPOF.
"We're going to be very supportive and helpful of Blaise," Gardiner said. "We want him to be successful. I had a chance to sit down with him and discuss his vision for the 2016 cycle. So I think we're going to be a partner with him."
But Gardiner also made it clear that there's no rush in returning the Senate's campaign staff and money back to party headquarters.
"The reality was, we were a renter, we were leasing that space (in RPOF headquarters)," Gardiner said. "Prior to 2000, the Senate was always out on its own. Eventually (former RPOF Chair) Tom Slade brought in everyone in-house to one location. We're just kind of looking at it. Obviously, we're focusing on other things, specifically session. I don't see any changes until after session.
"Could we end up back at the party? Absolutely. But it's not something I'm focused on."
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