TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Now that Republicans have made him the U.S. Senate front-runner, Marco Rubio is trying to weather potentially damaging revelations about his credit-card use, double billing for airfare and murky finances.
A few months ago, the former Florida House speaker seemed an unlikely bet to beat Gov. Charlie Crist in the party’s Senate primary. And in those months, Rubio’s lavish spending has come under scrutiny of federal investigators.
In that same stretch, his poll numbers have soared, carrying him well ahead of Crist and forcing the once seemingly unbeatable governor to consider running as an independent for Senate. Crist has until Friday to decide.
Republicans see the potential for significant gains in this fall’s congressional elections, with a legitimate shot of regaining control of the House and perhaps the Senate. But a family feud in Florida combined with questionable spending habits could thwart their political gains.
Questions have arisen about fundraising for and spending from two political committees Rubio formed as House speaker to benefit House candidates. The Miami Herald and St. Petersburg Times reported that little of the money raised went to candidates and some of it benefited Rubio’s relatives.
Much of the attention has focused on credit cards issued to Rubio and 27 other Republican leaders. The Internal Revenue Service is looking into the spending by Rubio and other Republican leaders, including a former state party chairman, Jim Greer, hand-picked by Crist.
Rubio charged nearly $110,000 to the party-issued card during his time as House speaker. Among the charged items were repairs to Rubio’s family minivan, grocery bills, plane tickets for his wife, and retail purchases, including one from a wine store.
Campaign aides have said the charges were legitimate; for instance, they said, the minivan had been damaged while being used on GOP business. They also said Rubio paid American Express $16,052.50 to cover nonparty expenses when they happened.
Numbers
23 Marco Rubio’s lead, in percentage points, over Florida Gov. Charlie Crist in the race for Florida’s Republican Senate nomination
46 Crist’s lead over Rubio last year
Source: Quinnipiac University
