Will Senate money Obama raises in Fla. return?

Oct 26, 2009 1 min read

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) – President Barack Obama is in Florida to raise money for U.S. Senate races, but how much of it will be spent here remains to be seen.

U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek is the leading Democrat for former Sen. Mel Martinez’s seat, and he trails Republican Gov. Charlie Crist by 20 points in a recent Quinnipiac University poll.

If Meek doesn’t close that gap, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee will likely use the money raised at Monday’s fundraiser in more competitive states – especially since campaign ads are so expensive in Florida.

Meek said before the event, “It’s not personal, it’s just business when it comes down to the investment by the DSCC here in the state of Florida.”

But he also said Crist’s support is soft and Florida will be competitive.