Crist Holding Fundraiser With Convicted (And Later Pardoned) Governor

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist is about to embark on a major fundraising push, with several top dollar events scheduled in the coming weeks, but one in particular caught TPMDC's eye.

That's an Oct. 30 fundraiser hosted by former Arizona Gov. Fife Symington in the state's Camelback Mountain. Symington was convicted of bank and wire fraud and resigned in 1997, but the conviction was overturned and President Clinton pardoned him in 2001.

The event is listed on a document circulated among donors and obtained by TPMDC listing several upcoming fundraisers for Republican Senate candidates.

Symington was governor from 1991 to 1997 and the Arizona Republic reported last month he is "thinking seriously" about running again in 2010.

Republican Gov. Jan Brewer (who rose to the position when President Obama plucked Janet Napolitano for his Cabinet and hasn't committed to running in 2010) has been taking heat from the GOP over her tax and budget plans.

Calls and emails to the Crist campaign were not returned this morning and afternoon, I'll update if they get back to me.

Also on the fundraising list is an Oct. 31 lunch event at Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's home. The cost is $4,800 to be on the host committee and $1,000 to attend the general reception.

Schwarzenegger, who has been saying nice things about President Obama's health care plan lately, is known as a moderate and the two governors are friends.

Crist also will do a $1,000 per person event Oct. 29 at a new Vegas casino the Palazzo with billionaire Sheldon Adelson.

As Evan reported earlier, the race is getting hotter in the Sunshine State.