Deutsch tops Senate race in outside money

By Larry Lipman, Palm Beach Post Washington Bureau
Sunday, May 16, 2004



WASHINGTON -- In the hunt for money to finance his U.S. Senate bid, Rep. Peter Deutsch has raised more from outside Florida than any other candidate vying to replace retiring Sen. Bob Graham.

Deutsch, a seven-term Democrat from Lauderhill, raised $1.2 million -- that is about 35 percent of his large individual contributions -- from out-of-state contributors, according to an analysis by The Palm Beach Post of a Federal Election Commission database.

The database lists individual contributions of at least $200 and covers the election reporting cycle of 2003 and the first quarter of 2004. The database does not include all of the candidates in the Senate race because some of them did not raise money during that time period.

The actual amount each candidate received from individuals is probably higher than the amounts compiled from the FEC database because contributions of less than $200 were not itemized.

more: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/auto/epaper/editions/today/news_046a3ec3643c403a10e0.html

I read that he's picked up the endorsements of Hastings and Corrine Brown. I know Castor is leading now, but I'd be surprised if Deutch doesn't make it very competitive.

Everything I've read suggests that he's very controversial. I know those who favor Penelas probably don't like him, since the two have gotten very heated early in this campaign.

Some people I know are very happy that Debbie Wasserman Schulz will probably win the 20th District Congressional seat. Deutch's district is a fairly safe Democratic hold, even with it being an open seat.

I know Deutch has accused Penelas of costing Gore FL in 2000. Also, didn't Deutch have Penelas investigated for campaign finance fraud?

The two of them look to have great animosity between them, while Castor hasn't been attacked that much.