Court: No Taxpayer Money for McCollum Campaign

A new federal ruling says GOP gubernatorial candidate Bill McCollum cannot receive taxpayer funds to boost his campaign.

On Friday, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta granted a preliminary injunction to McCollum’s primary opponent, Rick Scott, that blocks McCollum’s attempt to get matching state dollars for his campaign.

McCollum’s campaign has been running low on funds, compared to Naples multimillionaire Scott, who is self-funding most of his campaign.

Florida state law says candidates cam receive public financing once their opponent passes certain spending limits. Scott argued the law limited his right to free speech.

This ruling reverses an earlier one by the U.S. District Court in Florida, which allowed McCollum to receive state funds for the Aug. 24 primary election.