SENATE RACES:
SD 12: THOMPSON OUTRAISES SIPLIN
Rep. Geraldine Thompson, D-Orlando, raised more money than her Senate primary opponent, Victoria Siplin, during the past three months and took a slight edge in overall fund-raising, according to state records. Thompson collected $43,375 during the year’s second quarter, giving her a total of $98,257. Siplin, who is seeking to replace her husband, Gary, in the Senate, raised $16,891 during the quarter and has a total of $93,074. The Democrats are competing in newly drawn Senate District 12.
SD 27: DEMOCRATS IN MONEY BATTLE IN SD 27
In a Senate race that pits two Democratic House members, Mack Bernard raised more money during the year’s second quarter than Jeff Clemens, according to state records. Bernard collected $85,730 during the past three months, while Clemens collected $71,548. But Clemens also raised money before the second quarter and has a total of $106,568 in contributions. The Palm Beach County Democrats are running in the newly drawn District 27.
SD 34: BOGDANOFF HAS BIG MONEY LEAD OVER SACHS
Though their fund-raising totals were relatively close during the past three months, Republican Ellyn Bogdanoff has a large overall financial advantage in the Senate District 34 fight with Democrat Maria Sachs. Bogdanoff, of Fort Lauderdale, raised $106,196 during the year’s second quarter and has a total of $366,767, according to state records. Sachs, of Boca Raton, raised $88,940 during the quarter and has a total of $173,915. The incumbent senators are in a closely watched race after reapportionment led to them running in the same district.
SD 39: BULLARD RAISES ONLY $500 IN SECOND QUARTER
As he seeks to replace his mother in a South Florida Senate seat, Rep. Dwight Bullard, D-Miami, reported raising only $500 during the year’s second quarter, according to state records. Bullard has now raised a total of $12,770. House Minority Leader Ron Saunders, a Key West Democrat who also is seeking the Senate District 39 seat, has raised $61,470 since entering the race in April. Former Democratic Rep. James Bush, who also is in the race, reported raising $3,900 during the quarter and has a total of $8,135. The newly redrawn District 39 seat became open because incumbent Sen. Larcenia Bullard, D-Miami, faces term limits.
HO– — USE RACES
HD 7: BESHEARS CONTINUES FUND-RAISING LEAD IN HD 7
Monticello Republican Halsey Beshears maintained his fund-raising lead in House District 7, collecting $44,421 during the past three months, according to state records. Beshears now has received a total of $152,689 and also has loaned $75,000 to his campaign. Seven candidates are competing in the sprawling North Florida district. Port St. Joe Republican Jamey Westbrook reported $120,850 in contributions, but almost all of that money — $120,000 — came from his own bank account.
HD 21: BOSSHARDT TOPS $50K AGAIN IN HD 21
Gainesville Democrat Aaron Bosshardt reported $52,895 in contributions during the year’s second quarter, giving him a total of $107,240 since entering the House District 21 race in January, according to state records. Republican Rep. Keith Perry of Gainesville raised $34,980 during the past three months to give him a total of $123,555. A third candidate in the race, Democrat Andrew Morey of Gainesville, has collected a total of $13,196. The newly redrawn District 21 includes all or parts of Alachua, Gilchrist and Dixie counties.
HD 30: PLAKON, DENTEL RACE FOR MONEY IN HD 30
Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, collected $61,096 in campaign cash during the past three months, while Democratic rival Karen Castor Dentel brought in $53,482, according to state records. Combined with money raised earlier, Plakon now has a total of $170,682. Dentel, a Maitland resident who is the daughter of former state Education Commissioner Betty Castor, entered the east-central Florida race in April.
HD 34: SMITH TRUMPS ARGENZIANO IN RAISING MONEY
While he collected a modest $18,972 during the past three months, Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Inverness, has a commanding financial edge over independent Nancy Argenziano in the House District 34 race. Smith has raised a total of $66,472, while Argenziano — a former House and Senate member — has collected $3,845 since entering the race in April. District 34 includes all of Citrus and part of Hernando counties.
HD 47: STEWART TRAILS BROOKS IN HD 47 MONEY CHASE
Former Rep. Bob Brooks holds a huge lead over former Orange County Commissioner Linda Stewart in campaign contributions in the House District 47 race, according to state records. Brooks, a Winter Park Republican, raised $28,525 during the past three months and has a total of $110,100. Stewart, a Democrat, raised $8,099 during the quarter and has a total of $21,561.
