Republican Marco Rubio’s run for Senate in Florida just got that much stronger with his announcement this morning that he raised $3.6 million in the first quarter of 2010. This far exceeds the successful fundraising of Pennsylvania Republican Pat Toomey, who says he raised $2.3 million for his Senate challenge to incumbent Arlen Specter, D.
Rubio’s quarterly total also blows the doors off the campaign of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., who raised $1.5 million in the quarter.
Rubio, who as of Dec. 31 trailed both Gov. Charlie Crist, R, and Rep. Kendrick Meek, D, in fundraising, has now become the man to beat. Having secured support from both conservatives and the establishment — including moderate former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, R.
