Overview
- Collins, who faced rumors about quitting, announced Monday an initial seven-figure statewide media buy to keep his bid for governor alive.
- Framing his push as an electability test, he warned that nominating Donalds could open a path for Democrat David Jolly in November.
- At a St. Petersburg event, Collins gave reporters a 13-page dossier that cites an expunged 2000 bribery case and Donalds’ recent admission that he sold marijuana as a teen.
- The report also flags more than 100 stock trades that a watchdog said were not properly disclosed and highlights CBS reporting on heavy contractor spending at a charter school tied to Erika Donalds that Collins says never opened.
- The Donalds campaign rejected the claims and underscored his advantages, pointing to President Trump’s endorsement, large polling leads, and roughly $67 million raised.