Washington Bureau

Florida Congressman’s ‘Red PAC’ Doling Money to GOP Candidates Nationwide

WASHINGTON – Rep. Adam Putnam of Bartow, now the third-ranking Republican in the House, has doled out more than $200,000 across the country since early 2007 to GOP colleagues facing tough election fights.

Like other ambitious lawmakers, Putnam has his own Leadership Political Action Committee – “Red PAC” -- as a way of raising extra cash from lobbyists, special interests and others, and then sending much of that money to colleagues needing help with their election fights.

In doing so, political chits can be collected from colleagues that might be cashed-in later -- such as if a poor showing by the GOP in this fall’s House elections leads to an internal party battle and push for new leadership.

Putnam is now the GOP conference chairman.

It is uncertain whether he’d be viewed more as part of a failed leadership team if the GOP collapses, or a natural successor to either Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio or House Republican Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri.

What is known is that his Red PAC had raised more than $413,500 since January 1997 through June 30, according to its latest filings with the Federal Election Commission that show numbers
And Red PAC has sent out $238,000 to more than 50 campaign committees. Most of that has gone current GOP members of the House or other Republicans across the country who are hoping to win a seat this fall.

Fellow Floridians getting help from Putnam include: Rep Gus Bilirakis of Palm Harbor ($2,500 in February); Rep. Vern Buchanan of Longboat Key ($5,000 in July 2007 and another $5,000 in May); Rep Tom Feeney of Oviedo ($5,000 in March.)

-- Billy House



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