The clear frontrunner in the Republican gubernatorial primary race to succeed outgoing Governor Rick Scott is Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam.

Keep in mind that only Putnam, who has amassed a $10 million war chest, and Bob White have officially announced their gubernatorial campaigns. Rep. Ron DeSantis (R) and Speaker Richard Corcoran (R) are seriously contemplating a run for the top job in the state of Florida, but have not yet made any official announcement. DeSantis could make an announcement as early as August.

Shortly after Corcoran’s Watchdog PAC hired Trump pollster Tony Fabrizio to spearhead it’s messaging tactics, Fabrizio outlined what he believes to be Putnam’s vulnerabilities.

Here are Fabrizio’s bulletpoint digs against Commissioner Putnam:

“Putnam is Bill McCollum without the conservative credentials.”

“If Adam Putnam had no money, would you even be talking about this guy?

“There are people who have compelling records. He has money and a record that is just abysmal. Putnam voted for virtually every payday that came down the pike in Congress. He was for amnesty. He voted for endless spending, for cash for clunkers and what he stands for is anathema to the Republican Party today.”-Source

In response, Putnam dismissed Fabrizio’s remarks by saying that the veteran pollster was just “client shopping” and that his conservative bona fides and record spoke for themselves.

My conservative record speaks for itself. You know, Tony is client shopping, and we’ll see ultimately how the race shapes up. It’s going to be a competitive primary without a doubt, and I believe the grassroots energy that is behind my candidacy, my conservative values i use and my small business background are going to put me over the top.”-Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam

Fabrizio then countered with this response:

“Adam is a nice guy, but there was no shopping involved, because like me the GOP primary voters will reject a career politician like him who has voted for endless pay raises, voted for massive deficit spending and debt increases and supports amnesty for illegal immigrants.”