National Journal: Club For Growth Eyes Underdog In Florida Contest

Oct 29, 2009

Source: Erin McPike, National Journal

After seeing how its backing of Conservative Party nominee Doug Hoffman turns out in a Nov. 3 special election for the New York House seat previously held by Army Secretary John McHugh, the Club for Growth will turn its attention to the Florida Senate primary between GOP Gov. Charlie Crist and former state House Speaker Marco Rubio.

While Crist is the well-funded frontrunner, Rubio has started lapping up endorsements from national conservative leaders and groups in his upstart bid to become the GOP nominee in the race to succeed former GOP Sen. Mel Martinez, who resigned this fall.

Club for Growth President Chris Chocola said he expects the organization will decide whether to get involved in the race by the end of the year.

"It's no secret we like Rubio," Chocola said in an interview. "We're looking at the same FEC reports as everyone else."

Those reports showed Rubio bringing in more than $1 million in the third quarter, a surprisingly strong number for someone taking on a candidate who was supposed to be a lock for the nomination.

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