Mike Bloomberg Commits $100 Million To Help Joe Biden Win Florida

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Mike Bloomberg, seen here giving an address during last month’s virtual Democratic National Convention, has pledged a big sum to help Joe Biden win Florida.

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DNCC via Getty Images

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Bloomberg, whose net worth is estimated above $50 billion, spent about $1 billion on his own unsuccessful run for the Democratic nomination. He had then promised to spend whatever it takes to defeat Trump, but through the summer some Democrats were wondering if he would come through on that pledge.

The news of Bloomberg’s Florida commitment got Trump’s attention on Sunday.

«I thought Mini Mike was through with Democrat politics after spending almost 2 Billion Dollars, and then giving the worst and most inept Debate Performance in the history of Presidential Politics,» Trump said in a tweet. «Pocahontas [Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren] ended his political career on first question, OVER! Save NYC instead.»

Florida is generally considered a presidential toss up, with neither major party candidate showing a clear lead in the polls. In surveys, Biden is doing better with white voters and seniors than Hillary Clinton did in 2016, but he’s not doing as well with non-Cuban Hispanics. A Bloomberg spokesperson says communicating with Hispanic voters will be a key part of the spending strategy.

Bloomberg’s money will be routed through his own Independence USA super PAC and other Democratic groups.

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According to Florida Democratic strategist Steve Schale, the Bloomberg investment is a big deal because Florida has not gotten the same level of outside spending as other swing states.

Also, Schale says, «It’s early enough that it can really help.»

The Bloomberg spokesperson noted that Florida starts voting on Sept. 24.

Trump has had a head start in Florida. He recently moved his legal residence to the state, where he has multiple properties, and last week he said he’d be willing to put his own money into his campaign.

And Florida was the exception to the rule in 2018. Democrats won races for governor and U.S. Senate in many states but not in Florida, where Republicans held on. The Trump campaign says it is still confident the president can win Florida in November.

The Bloomberg spokesperson said he is the single biggest donor to the DNC this cycle. Now Democrats will wait and see if Bloomberg is willing to spend big money in other competitive states like North Carolina or Georgia, or invest in Senate races.

• 2020 presidential election