Thrasher Campaigns Again with McCollum Today, Despite Scott's Financial Support of RPOF

NEWS FROM THE FLORIDA DEMOCRATIC PARTY
For Immediate Release: Aug. 12, 2010
Thrasher Campaigns Again with McCollum Today, Despite Scott’s Financial Support of RPOF
Today, Republican Party of Florida Chairman John Thrasher is campaigning yet again with career politician Bill McCollum. Given McCollum’s efforts to sweep the RPOF scandals under the rug, it is not surprising that party leaders like Thrasher have been backing McCollum behind the scenes and funneling money to his campaign.  But Chairman Thrasher should answer for the fact that he refuses to return the $120,000 Rick Scott has contributed to the Republican Party, while openly campaigning with McCollum as McCollum calls Scott a fraud.
“It’s clear that Sen. Thrasher continues to campaign with his fellow politician Bill McCollum, while refusing to return $120,000 of what McCollum called ‘ill-gotten gains’ to Rick Scott,” said Eric Jotkoff, spokesperson for the Florida Democratic Party.  “Sen. Thrasher’s refusal to return Scott’s RPOF contributions while supporting McCollum’s candidacy is truly the height of Republican hypocrisy.”
Background:
RPOF Continues to Insists Thrasher is Neutral in Primary, After He Campaigned with McCollum on Monday.  From an August 10 RPOF email: “Chairman Thrasher is neutral in the gubernatorial primary. He attended one event with General McCollum yesterday.” [Will RPOF return Rick Scott’s ‘ripped off’ money?, Buzz Blog, 8/10/10]
Rick Scott Contributed $120,000 To The Republican Party Of Florida Between 2004 And 2008.  According to records from the FEC and the Florida Division of Elections, Rick Scott contributed $90,000 to the RPOF state fund on October 13, 2006 and $10,000 on October 21, 2008.  Scott also contributed $10,000 to the federal fund on October 13, 2006 and another $10,000 on March 3, 2008. [Florida DoS DoE, accessed 8/9/10; Center for Responsive Politics, accessed 8/9/10]
McCollum Complained Scott Was Spending “Ill-Gotten Gains” To Run Attacks Ads.  “McCollum has said he doesn’t have the resources to adequately respond to the ‘barrage’ of ads Scott has run.  ‘I’m a bit angry at the fact that he’s doing this with the kind of ill-gotten gains that he is and he’s being ruthless,’ McCollum said.” [Fla. Gov candidate McCollum says opponent Rick Scott is ruthless, AP, 6/7/10]
-###-