BUSH ANNOUNCED FAVOURITE IN GOP PRIMARY...BUT NOT THE ONE YOU WERE LIKELY HOPING FOR...

It's unusual for the figurative head of a state political party to choose between candidates in the party's primary; one would usually stay silent on such matters so as not to split the party. But I have to guess that Governor Jeb Bush figures things are divided enough in the Florida GOP, that what the heck, let's roll the dice...

Wednesday the governor endorsed Senate President Tom Lee (R - Brandon) in his effort to become the state's next Chief Financial Officer. Lee will face State Representative Randy Johnson (R - Celebration) in the September 5 Republican primary. The winner will face Democratic nomineee and former banker Alex Sink in the general election.

Needless to say, Johnson was not happy, and released a statement shortly afterward:

"I'm disappointed that Jeb Bush decided not to make this a fair fight. The governor's endorsement of Tom Lee does not suddenly make Tom Lee a conservative. I fought to lower taxes in this year's legislative session while Tom Lee fought to raise taxes. I fought for Florida's families and businesses while Tom Lee fought for insurance companies."

Jeb's announcement basically amounts to a funeral dirge for Johnson's campaign. He has only raised nearly $600,000 so far, less than half than Lee's $1.3 million. With the endorsement, that gulf should widen even further. Sink, considered by many to be the Democrat's best shot at winning a Cabinet-level post this November, has raised just over $730,000 as of the end of March.