Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush raised close to $1 million for five GOP Senate hopefuls at a fundraiser in Tampa last month, new campaign finance records show.
Organizers said they hoped to raise $500,000 at the event, headlined by Mr. Bush, but exceeded expectations with donations totaling $807,000 from 109 individuals and three PACs.
Almost all of the donations were distributed equally among the five candidates, Cory Gardner of Colorado, Joni Ernst of Iowa, Monica Wehby of Oregon, Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Dan Sullivan of Alaska.
The special fundraising committee created for the event, Floridians for a Senate Majority, has $45,000 left over.
At least 43 donors gave $13,000 each in order to gain a spot on the host committee, which is rumored to be the beginnings of a financial committee, should Mr. Bush run for the GOP 2016 nomination.
Event organizer Mel Sembler, a Florida real estate developer and GOP presidential bundler, contributed $13,000, along with his wife Betty and son Brent, who also gave $13,000 each.
• Kellan Howell can be reached at khowell@washingtontimes.com.
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