MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONNNNNNEY!

The fourth quarter figures are coming in from the gubernatorial campaigns, with Democratic candidate Congressman Jim Davis (D - Tampa) coming out well.

According to the St. Petersburg Times' political blog The Buzz, Davis's campaign raised more than $505,000. That is the best fundraising quarter for any Democratic gubernatorial candidate in the year prior to an election since contribution limits took effect in 1994. Davis's reported total haul so far is more than $1.6 million, and preliminary estimates show $1.1 million cash on hand.

Republican Attorney General Charlie Crist reported contributions of $1.5 million during the last quarter, bringing his total to a record $6.86 million in only seven months.

No news yet from the campaigns of Democratic State Senator Rod Smith (D - Alachua) or Republican State CFO Tom Gallagher.

And just for the record, there are currently 22 active candidates for governor: seven Republicans, eight Democrats, one each from the Reform and Liberterian parties, and five independents