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Rick Scott pours $14 million of personal fortune into Senate campaign

Scott also posted big numbers from individual contributors.
 
Florida Gov. Rick Scott addresses supporters as he holds a Senate campaign rally at the Interstate Beverage Corp. on April 10 in Hialeah.   (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Florida Gov. Rick Scott addresses supporters as he holds a Senate campaign rally at the Interstate Beverage Corp. on April 10 in Hialeah. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Published July 19, 2018|Updated July 19, 2018

WASHINGTON – Gov. Rick Scott has already put $14 million of his own money into his U.S. Senate campaign, his first FEC report revealed on Thursday.

Scott's ability to self-fund was crucial to his two successful gubernatorial campaigns — a combined $90 million — and today's filing indicates he will again tap his fortune in a bid to defeat Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson. He has already unleashed a wave of TV ads.

Last week, Scott's campaign emphasized the $10.7 million raised from other people, noting that amount "does not include any candidate contributions." That money includes $3.1 million Scott raised in a joint committee with the NRSC, so the campaign actually took in $7.3 million.

All told, Rick Scott for Florida raised $21 million. As of the filing time, the campaign had $4.5 million cash on hand.

Nelson reported nearly $4.4 million raised for the second quarter and has $13.7 million cash on hand.

Among Scott contributors is John Schnatter, the man behind the Papa John's pizza empire who has become a controversial figure and was just forced from the company over reports of using a racial slur. He resigned but is now fighting the move.

Schnatter gave $5,400, but the Scott campaign said it donated that amount last week to Shriners Hospitals for Children.