Donations to Sen. LeMieux's PAC feather his temporary job

WASHINGTON — The political transformation of George LeMieux took another turn Tuesday as lobbyists and corporate interests lined up to fill his newly created political action committee with donations.

Florida's new U.S. senator attended a fundraiser at Charlie Palmer Steak on Capitol Hill where guests handed over checks worth up to $5,000 for Protect America's Future PAC.

Corporate interests on the host committee included CitiGroup and Honeywell International as well as the law-lobbying firm GrayRobinson.

LeMieux, 40, has drawn notice for creating the PAC because he is a temporary lawmaker — appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist to fill out the final 16 months of retired Sen. Mel Martinez's term — but it signals his future political ambitions.

LeMieux, once Crist's chief of staff, has said he'll use the PAC to support Republican candidates and that could include Crist, who is seeking the Senate seat vacated by Martinez.

Democrats seized on the fundraiser as evidence LeMieux is using the position to help Crist — and himself.

"Because Floridians are sick of Crist and LeMieux's corrupt cronyism, both of them will be sent into retirement come 2010," said Eric Jotkoff, spokesman for the Florida Democratic Party.

But one of the lobbyists who organized the fundraiser said it shows LeMieux is a team player.

"Why should Sen. LeMieux mail it in?" asked lobbyist T.J. Petrizzo, a Republican who has also helped raise money for Florida Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson — the man some think LeMieux may challenge in 2012.

"Part of being a strong team player in politics is helping your colleagues get re-elected, whether you are a Democrat or a Republican," Petrizzo said.