Michelle Rhee has continued to distribute cash into Florida politics. On top of last week’s list, Rhee has followed up with two more.
* On 7/27/12 Rhee’s StudentsFirst contributed $5000 to the PAC belonging to Rep. Erik Fresen (R-Miami) Floridians for a Strong 67. Like most republican PACs, it too, is run by Nancy Watkins. Fresen’s brother-in-law, Fernando Zulueta, is the president of controversial charter school, Academica. His sister is vice president. Academica donated $100,000 to John Kirtley’s Florida Federation for Children last month.
* On 8/2/12, Rhee’s organization gave $2500 to the PAC belonging to Sarasota republican political boss, Robert Waechter. Take Back Our Government’s treasurer is also Watkins. Waechter’s PAC drew the attention of the Bradenton Herald 10 days ago for calling a candidate for county commissioner a “liberal like Obama.” Waechter’s PAC has been in existence only since the end of May. The bulk of the take Waechter’s PAC , almost $58,000 has gone to pay for mailings from Political Ink, a republican direct mail and consulting corporation.
In less than a year Rhee has made 18 contributions to Florida candidates or PACs totalling $22,700.
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