The job picture may be weak, but the political economy seems to be doing fine in South Florida, anyway.
U.S. Rep. Allen West, who as a freshman tea party lightning rod given to speaking bluntly, has a major Democratic target on his back, said Wednesday that he raised $1.9 million during the three months that ended Sept. 30. That puts his total contributions for next year’s re-election effort over the $4 million mark.
That far overshadows what would have otherwise been seen as a good quarter for the two Democrats vying to challenge him.
Former West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel has reported she raised more than $415,000 in the quarter while businessman Patrick Murphy raised $313,000. Reports for all congressional candidates are due to the Federal Elections Commission by Oct. 15, but several campaigns have released their numbers early.
West, a former military officer from Plantation, said he raised the money from more than 42,000 individual contributions , with an average contribution of less than $50. He also said nearly all of his contributions came from individuals.
The race for Florida’s 22nd Congressional District was already shaping up as one of the most expensive House races in the country, and may move up in that measurement after West’s report. Through the first half of the year, only Ohio’s 8th, Minnesota’s 6th and New York’s 26th had seen more money raised than was contributed in the South Florida race.
The district stretches mostly along the coast from north of Jupiter, through Palm Beach County and into Broward, with the southern end south of Fort Lauderdale. It includes parts of West Palm Beach, the mansions of Palm Beach, parts of Delray and Boca Raton, Pompano Beach and the parts of Fort Lauderdale east of Federal Highway.
The seat in the past has been a swing seat, with West defeating Democrat Ron Klein, who had defeated longtime Republican seat holder Clay Shaw. The Palm Beach areas of the district are heavily Republican, while the Broward parts are heavily Democratic, though it’s not clear what the district will look like after redistricting.
By David Royse
