They call themselves “Floridians for a Better and Brighter Future,” and their primary interest appears to be Charlie Crist’s political future. They quickly amassed more than $1-million to help Crist — or perhaps hurt Tom Gallagher, his opponent in the Sept. 5 Republican primary. That, after all, is what 527s do. Crist says he has no knowledge of the committee or its goals, other than from news accounts. “I’ve read about it,’’ Crist said. “I hope they do good work.’’

The pro-Crist committee is at least the fifth 527 formed to affect the governor’s race and has raised the most money so far.

Gallagher soon will benefit from another new 527, called the Coalition to Protect the American Dream. President Mike Hanna is a Gallagher supporter who recently returned to politics after serving as chief of staff at the Florida Department of Corrections.Hanna, who was political director of Gov. Jeb Bush’s re-election in 2002, said the committee will “support probusiness leaders” in the 2006 campaign. Story is here.