With a staggering $2.5 million campaign account, state Sen. Jeff Atwater can thank donors from more than 40 states, close to 600 cities and many of the industries that routinely do business in Tallahassee.

Atwater, a North Palm Beach Republican and incoming Senate president if he's elected, crossed the $2.5 million threshold in campaign finance reports released earlier this month.

The new total leaves him with more money than the next five Senate incumbents combined -- and more than some previous statewide candidates -- as he prepares to face Democratic challenger Linda Bird in the coastal district that stretches from Fort Lauderdale to Juno Beach.

While critics say the donations suggest that special-interest groups are playing an outsized role in the high-stakes race, Atwater's campaign says it's a sign of the candidate's ``wide base of support.''

Either way, the fundraising total is likely to give Atwater an enormous spending advantage as the campaign enters its final weeks, allowing him to spend thousands on TV ads and mailings throughout the sprawling Broward-Palm Beach district.

''It's mind-boggling,'' said Ben Wilcox, executive director of Common Cause of Florida, a Tallahassee group that has tried to limit the influence of money in state politics. ``It illustrates how much people are willing to spend to try to influence public policy.''

Atwater, a bank executive, began to raise money for his reelection bid in 2005 and collected most of the donations when his expected opponent was wealthy lawyer and former state Sen. Walter ''Skip'' Campbell.

But Campbell dropped out of the race in July for health- and work-related reasons, prompting Democrats to tap Bird, a political newcomer, as his replacement.

In addition to Atwater's campaign account, the candidate has also collected more than $868,000 from a separate political committee he controls called Preserve the American Dream.

Among his top contributors in those accounts, according to a Miami Herald analysis of campaign finance records:

• $725,000 from the medical industry.

• $228,000 from the real-estate industry.

• $186,000 from lawyers.

• $179,000 from the banking industry.

• $152,000 from construction companies and home builders.

• $126,000 from consultants and lobbyists.

• Thousands of dollars from the agricultural, telecommunications, retail and gaming industries.

SHOE LEATHER

Rick Wilson, Atwater's campaign manager, said the donations reflect Atwater's wide support in Florida. He added that if Atwater wins on Nov. 4, his fundraising advantage won't be the only reason, pointing out that the candidate has been knocking on doors and meeting voters for months.

''Sure, he's raised $2.5 million, but he's also worn out a whole bunch of shoes,'' Wilson said.

Bird has lagged in fundraising, bringing in roughly $65,000 since entering the race about three months ago -- far later than most legislative candidates. More than half of that money comes from the Democratic Party, which has also paid for TV ads and mailings on her behalf.

She also received at least $1,400 from real-estate agents, $2,900 from lawyers and $3,500 from Broward County teachers unions.

The rest of the money comes from teachers, local political consultants, Democratic politicians and other donors. More than two-thirds of Bird's donations are from smaller donors who gave less than the $500 maximum contribution.

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