The Seminole Tribe of Florida has contributed $1m to state Governor Ron DeSantis, with whom it reached a gambling deal last year. This donation makes up a substantial amount of the total $2.2m donated to the ‘Friends of Ron DeSantis’ committee from July 30 – August 5, according to a financial campaign report.
The gambling deal was negotiated by the Seminole Tribe to operate sports betting in the Sunshine State. While Florida lawmakers approved this tribal compact, a federal judge later blocked it. Although the compact is still tied up in court, the tribe evidently hopes for DeSantis’ continuing to help push it through.
The tribe has now made a total of $4m in contributions that could be used to benefit the Governor's reelection bid. Forbes reported in July that DeSantis had raised over $100m for reelection, the most ever spent on a reelection bid – votes are going to be cast this fall.
The committee spent all of the $1m in this time period, with a reported $124.9m cash in hand as of August 5. Other main contributors to DeSantis include Sun Labs USA, Tampa, a credit report company, that gave $400,000.
The committee contributed $1m to the Republican Party of Florida and another $1m to Ohio-based Flexpoint Media in exchange for media coverage.
The Seminole Tribe donates to the Republican Governors Association (RGA), and this indirect funding allows the tribe to funnel money to the governor without as much scrutiny. The DeSantis campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the tribe's contribution.
Meanwhile, Seminole Tribe spokesperson Gary Bitner said that the tribe: “Doesn’t comment on reports of specific campaign contributions. In general, the tribe does contribute to issues and candidates in Florida and other states, according to its best interests."
