Clinton raises big bucks for Meek

In January, U.S Rep. Kendrick Meek announced he was running for Florida’s U.S. Senate seat in 2010.  Since declaring his candidacy, he has picked some recognizable endorsers, one of which is former President Bill Clinton.      

Clinton has hosted two fundraisers for Meek since he began his campaign.             

According to the Miami Herald, Clinton flew to Miami from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland to attend Meek’s first fundraiser hosted by Chris Korge that raised $300,000.                                      

In Jacksonville, the River Club fundraiser, which was a $1,000-a-plate breakfast and closed to the public raised $75,000, according to the Florida Times Union.                        

The support from Clinton is leading other major unions and companies to make large donations and endorse the Congressman.  The Service Employees International Union in Florida, the United Teachers of Dade, and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades have all come on board to support the former Florida A&M University Rattler.

Meek is only the fourth Democratic candidate to receive an endorsement from the former president.  Those who Clinton support includes Hillary Clinton, his wife, and former presidential candidate Rahm Emanuel, his former political adviser, and Terry McAuliffe, a candidate for the Governor of Virginia.             

Meek has not officially become the Democratic Representative for the U.S Senator Mel Martinez’s (Rep. – Orlando) seat.  Democrat Tyrone Brown of Daytona Beach and Republican Gwyndolyn McClellan of Sarasota both have filed for the 2010 race.

If elected, Meek would be the first African American elected in the state of Florida to the U.S. Senate.                    

Earlier this month, the Congressman held a press conference in Tallahassee and Mayor John Marks hosted a fundraiser for Meek at his home.