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Rubio backer collects $$ from Crist buddies

Posted Nov 18, 2009 by William March

Updated Nov 18, 2009 at 03:07 PM

South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint is one of the most prominent Republicans nationally to endorse Marco Rubio in the U.S. Senate primary against Gov. Charlie Crist—but that apparently hasn’t hurt his ability to raise money from Crist allies in Florida.

During a campaign trip through Florida this weekend, DeMint will meet with Rubio, and he’ll also be the guest of honor at a fundraiser held by former Ambassador Mel Sembler of St. Petersburg and his wife, Betty Sembler.

Mel Sembler, who has been one of the most prominent, high-powered Republican fundraisers in Florida, and Betty Sembler are both long-time allies of Crist. Their son Brent Sembler was Crist’s 2006 campaign finance chairman.

Does the fundraiser for a Crist foe mean things have cooled off between Crist and the Semblers?

Sembler couldn’t immediately be reached for comment, but another prominent GOP fundraiser, Al Austin, said no.

Austin, who’s now backing Crist in the Senate primary, was invited to the event but isn’t going—“I’m sympathetic to the cause, but I’m trying to limit the number of causes I get involved in,” he said.

He said the Semblers “are very supportive of Charlie Crist. They’re on his team.”