Runner up: U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam. He is the first candidate for agriculture commissioner to begin the election year with $1-million in his campaign account (compared to nearly $190,000 for likely Democratic nominee Scott Maddox). He was also the strongest speaker at last weekend’s GOP annual meeting, overwhelmingly won a Pinellas GOP straw poll, and looked like the ag commissioner touring freeze damage in rival Carey Baker’s back yard. — St. Pete Times on January 16, 2010
