Nevada US Sen. Heller, others endorse Rubio after Bush exit

State Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, an ardent supporter of Jeb Bush’s run for the presidency, said he was profoundly disappointed that the former Florida governor ended his bid after a poor showing in Saturday’s primary in SC. Democratic contender Hillary Clinton came in third with $723,361.

According to a Reuters review of campaign finance disclosures, Rubio, who is vying for second place in the GOP field, has received more than $4 million from Wall Street banks and investment firms, such as Goldman Sachs, Bank of America and Deutsche Bank.

Heller’s endorsement could provide a boost for Rubio in what increasingly seems like a three-way race for the Republican nomination with real estate tycoon Donald Trump and Senator Ted Cruz, R-Tex.

The amounts include contributions to the candidates’ respective Super PACs, fundraising groups that are not directly connected to their campaigns but which spend on their behalf.

With Bush now out of the race, some of his donors may redirect their support to Rubio, according to Reuters, which spoke with Bush backers.

Although donations from Wall Street are not necessarily positive, especially since many people blame banks for the recession, having extra funds could be helpful in a tight race. But, echoing the other lawmakers, says Rubio can “bring new voters, new voices to our Republican Party”. “Even on the Republican side, there’s a certain mistrust among the base for that sector”. The largest pro-Rubio super PAC is the group Conservative Solutions.

Trump, a billionaire businessman who is self-funding his campaign, raised only $1,566 from employees of banks.