MO' MONEY NEWS

All of the major gubernatorial candidates have now submitted their campaign's financial intake for the final quarter of 2005.

Earlier, Democratic contender Congressman Jim Davis of Tampa reported contributions of approximately $505,000, which is the largest quarterly take by any Democratic gubernatorial candidate in the year before election since contribution limits went into effect in the 1994 race. On Friday, challenger State Senator Rod Smith of Alachua reported that his campaign took in $264,000 during the quarter. While Smith's campaign reported cash on hand at around $924,000, Davis' has around $1.1 million.

On the Republican side, Attorney General Charlie Crist raised approximately $1.5 million during the quarter, bringing his total hard cash raised to a record $6.86 million in only seven months. GOP rival State Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher's campaign reported contributions during the quarter of $770,000.

Meanwhile, the St. Petersburg Times' political blog The Buzz notes that Gallagher's campaign will be helped by Fort Lauderdale cardiologist and Bush family friend Dr. Zach Zachariah, named an honourary finance chairman along with former Bush-Cheney finance chairman Tom Petway. Zachariah is considered one of the most elite fundraisers for Republicans in Florida, and his addition should help bring Gallagher's campaign coffers.