Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade is asking supporters of Senate candidate Kendrick Meek to open their wallets, but FEC records show, and the campaign confirmed, that the millionaire basketball star has kept his own checkbook closed.
“Click here to rush $5 or more to Kendrick’s campaign,” Wade said in an e-mail to supporters. “It’s the 4th quarter and the clock is running out. Kendrick needs all of us in the game to swish the buzzer beater.”
Wade is currently in the first year of a contract that pays him more than $107 million over the next six years. FEC records show that he has not used any of that money to support Meek.
“Kendrick Meek shares my values – giving kids a chance for a better future and helping the people who need it the most,” Wade said. “That’s why I told Kendrick I’d help his campaign however I could. And with just 6 days left, I knew I could make a difference in his final drive to victory. Kendrick tells me he needs 37 more online donors before midnight tonight, so I’m counting on you to help me put him over the top.”
The Meek campaign said that Wade has been very helpful in raising money but acknowledged that the millionaire athlete had not personally contributed.
Wade hosted a fundraiser and signed a petition to get Meek on the ballot, campaign spokesman David Hoffman said.
Calls to the Miami Heat were not immediately returned.
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