Former New Hampshire Sen. Robert Smith has raised little money for a long-shot 2010 Senate bid in his adopted state of Florida. But the Republican's former staff certainly is loyal to him.
Smith raised just $17,421 in this year's second quarter, a pittance compared to the raised by the leading Republican candidates, Gov. Charlie Crist ($4.3 million) and former state House Speaker Marco Rubio ($340,000). Smith's few dozen donors included some former aides from his days representing New Hampshire in the Senate from 1991 through 2002.
Thomas L. Lankford, a former Smith defense aide who is now a vice president at Van Scoyoc Associates, gave $1,000 to his former boss.
Donating $250 was Corey Lewandowski. a political consultant who managed Smith's 2002 campaign, in which Smith was defeated by Rep. John E. Sununu in the Republican primary election. (Sununu won the general election against Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, but lost a rematch in 2008).
Eryn Witcher, Smith's former press secretary, gave his campaign $100. Jeffrey Marschner, who also did communications work for Smith and now is deputy press secretary to Kentucky Republican Sen. Jim Bunning, chipped in with a $50 contribution.
David Hickey, a former Smith legislative aide who now directs government relations for the International Sign Association, donated $25.
Vanessa Kermick, another ex-Smith aide who is now the scheduler for Idaho Republican Sen. Jim Risch, gave $100 to Smith's campaign.
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