Gutierrez puts together $300k for Grayson challenge

Bad news for D.C. Republicans who would rather see someone else in the race to face Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.): Armando Gutierrez is putting together good money.

The 28-year-old real estate developer's campaign tells The Hill that it raised $210,000 in the fourth quarter, and the candidate self-funded another $100,000. It spent only $12,000 and has just less than $300,000 on hand.

National Republicans have alternately played up the candidacies of businessman Bruce O'Donoghue and, in recent days, state Rep. Kurt Kelly, but Gutierrez has money and plenty of big-name backing. His endorsers include former state GOP Chairman Al Cardenas, George P. Bush, and Reps. Tom Rooney (R-Fla.), Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) and Aaron Schock (R-Ill.).

Look for a pitched primary to take place before we get the pleasure of seeing Grayson fight for reelection.