That’s the total U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Bartow, has after collecting about $229,000 in the third quarter. He’s facing state Sen. Carey Baker, R-Eustis, in a Republican primary for state agriculture commissioner, one of three Florida Cabinet positions and among the five statewide races on the ballot in 2010.

Read his press release here.

From campaign finance reports due today (Contribution totals are for the 2nd quarter of the year and cash on hand is a total for the race):

Republicans

Adam Putnam: $258,523 raised, $672,982 on-hand.

Carey Baker: $61,787 raised; $230,964 on-hand

Democrats*

Eric Draper: $35,125 raised, $31,965 on-hand

Rick Minton, Jr.: $13,815 raised, $9,531 on-hand

Thad Hamilton: $4,600 raised, $4,297 on-hand

Randy Hatch: $3,300 raised, $1,643 on-hand

*Former Florida Democratic Party Chairman Scott Maddox recently said he will enter the race.

Eric Draper, first from left, said today he’ll run for state agriculture commissioner.

Eric Draper, lobbyist and policy director for Audubon of Florida , said he will file papers today to run for Florida agriculture commissioner.

“I’ve spent most of my life working to keep our water clean and the state green and to me this is a continuation of that effort,” said Draper, a third generation Floridian.

Other Democrats in the race include former state Rep. Rick Minton Jr. of Fort Pierce and former Suwannee County Commissioner Randy Hatch. Republicans running include U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam of Bartow and state Sen. Carey Baker of Eustis.

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U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Bartow, picked up an endorsement today from former state Rep. Marty Bowen, R-Winter Haven. The two were both running for state agriculture commissioner - one of three statewide Cabinet offices that could open up in 2010. Bowen also announced today that she was closing her campaign, leaving Putnam and state Sen. Cary Baker, R-Eustis, as the candidates. Check their fund-raising totals so far here.

Bowen’s statement:

“It is important for people who care about agriculture to solidify our support behind one candidate for this job and today we have rallied around Adam. Adam is now the candidate for Florida agriculture and he is the best candidate for Florida’s future.”

Putnam has also been endorsed by the Florida Nursery Growers & Landscapers Association, Southeast Milk Producers, Florida Citrus Mutual, Polk County Farm Bureau, Hillsborough County Farm Bureau and Dade County Farm Bureau.

Here are the top fundraisers so far for 2010 state elections (italics notes an incumbent and click here for a collection of all contribution and expenditure totals from On3 Public Relations):

State CFO:

Democrat Alex Sink: $1.12 million

Commissioner of Agriculture:

U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Bartow: $486,458

State Sen. Carey Baker, R-Eustis: $120,655

State Senate

1.) Hillsborough County Commissioner Jim Norman, Republican (SD 12): $250,850

2.) Rep. David Rivera, R-Miami (SD 38): $235,335

3.) Former Rep. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach (SD 8): $220,441

4.) Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Indialantic (SD 26): $208,250

5.) Sen. Nan Rich, D-Sunrise (SD 34): $177,554

State House

1.) Miami attorney and former Apprentice contestant Jose “Pepi” Diaz, Republican (HD 115): $112,945

2.) Assistant State Attorney Andrew Jones of Oviedo, Republican (HD 33): $103,306

3.) Republican Italo Andres Zanzi, a 2006 Republican U.S. House candidate in New York (HD 119): $102,085

4.) Rep. Dean Cannon, R-Orlando (HD 35): $99,426
5.) Army JAG Corps Captain and Tampa attorney Greg Stuebe, Republican (HD 67): $61,142

Saying the state “already has a poor track record managing what they own,” U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Bartow, said today that Gov. Charlie Crist’s deal to buy U.S. Sugar includes too much land and too many questions.
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Putnam, 34, said the state needs to consider whether the deal would jeopardize its partnership with the federal government in Everglades restoration. He also said the state needs a more detailed plan for the communities that could lose thousands of agricultural jobs.
“While, over the long haul, renewable energy has great potential to be a part of the economic base, it’s not ready for prime time,” Putnam said. “So that increases the pressure if this is going to proceed to have in place plans for an inland port or something similar that will alleviate the economic harm that will be done to the communities.”

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