In Effort to Flip State House Seat, Democrat Posts Nearly $80,000 Since July

Since filing on July 19th, Marucci Guzmán raised $77,942 in her campaign for Florida House District 35, which she says demonstrates a groundswell of support for the Democrat vying to win this critical special election for Florida Democrats.




Throughout her campaign, Guzmán has been actively engaging with the Orange County and Osceola County communities by knocking on over 4,000 doors, sharing her plans for affordable quality healthcare, accessible housing, strengthened local public schools, and protections for families and neighborhoods.

According to the Democratic candidate, with 194 total contributors, the campaign raised $77,942 between her campaign account and political committee, which included financial support from receiving the endorsements of Ruth’s List, EMILYs List, Mi Vecino, the Florida Leadership Council, and the Gun Sense Candidate Distinction from Moms Demand Action. It appears the outpouring of financial support for Guzmán’s campaign underlines the excitement around the state to flip this seat, and the belief that she is the strongest candidate to do it.

“I could not be more humbled by the support of the many generous contributors who have invested in our race, giving us the resources to communicate our message directly with voters,” Marucci Guzmán stated to express her gratitude. “It means so much to me that people all around the state recognize the huge opportunity we have to flip this seat, and that they’ve invested in my campaign to help me be the Democratic nominee to do it.”

In the final stretch of the campaign, the team will continue to work to raise money, knock on doors in the district, and connect with voters to flip Florida House District 35 blue.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis called for a special election for Florida House District 35 after the vacancy was caused by the resignation of Republican State Representative Fred Hawkins. The special primary election will be November 7, 2023 and the special election will be held on January 16, 2024 to select the next State Representative for House District 35.

There are two other Democrats running for the seat, Rishi Bagga and Tom Keen. Bagga has raised around $67,000 according to posted state reports, and he spent about $39,000, while Keen had raised about $18,550. Fundraising will be important, not just in the primary, but also if the Democrats hope to flip this seat in the general.

Republican candidate Erika Booth had raised over $189,000, but she spent $174,000, according to posted state reports. Republican candidate Scotty Moore had raised over $100,000 and spent about $75,000 based on posted campaign finance reports.