Farmer as Bermuda's new American Consul General, The Royal Gazette has learned.

Mr. Farmer, of Miami, raised about $60 million for the campaign that elected Mr. Clinton president in 1992.

That broke his earlier record of $50 million, which he raised for the unsuccessful presidential candidacy of Democrat Mr. Michael Dukakis in 1988.

The former treasurer of the Democratic National Committee was the major backer of Sen. John Glenn when he sought the presidency in 1984.

Mr. Farmer, himself a multi-millionaire, is presently serving as campaign chairman for Mr. Hugh Rodham, the brother of Mrs. Hillary Clinton, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for the US Senate in Florida.

A former Boston resident, Mr. Farmer is a Harvard graduate and an avid golfer who counts Mr. Clinton among his golfing partners.

Mr. Joseph O'Neill, the Consul General pro tem, would yesterday neither confirm nor deny that Mr. Farmer was the president's choice.

But he confirmed that the White House had put forward a nominee who could be approved by the Senate foreign relations committee in time to arrive on the Island by fall.

"I think Bermuda will be very pleased with the candidate the president has picked,'' Mr. O'Neill told The Royal Gazette .

The Island has been served by acting Consul Generals since Mr. Ebersole Gaines left early in 1993.

Deputy principal officer Mr. Stephen Kish held the post from July of last year until this February, when Mr. O'Neill arrived.

Mr. O'Neill, a high-ranking State Department official who has been described as a troubleshooter, is reportedly undertaking a review of US policy toward Bermuda which was to be completed by fall.

Mr. O'Neill said Mr. Clinton's nominee would have a security clearance, after which the name would be vetted with officials in London and Bermuda. The name would then be formally submitted to the Senate, he said.

Bermuda is unusual in that its top American diplomat is a political appointee, rather than a career foreign service officer.