FUNDRAISING
HD 21: PERRY PICKS UP $48K IN FINAL WEEKS
Trying to return to Tallahassee in a substantially redrawn district, Rep. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville, collected $48,920 in contributions between Oct. 13 and Thursday, according to newly filed reports. Perry, who reported an overall total of $389,631, collected money during the latest period from companies and groups such as the HCA health-care chain and the cable-television industry. Updated numbers for Perry’s opponent in District 21, Gainesville Democrat Andrew Morey, had not been posted on the state Division of Elections website Friday morning. The newly drawn district stretches from the Gainesville area through Gilchrist and Dixie counties, while Perry’s current district goes from the Gainesville area into Marion and Levy counties.
HD 40: MONEY KEEPS FLOWING TO MCKEEL
Rep. Seth McKeel, a Lakeland Republican who is slated to become House budget chairman after the election, received $33,635 in contributions between Oct. 13 and Thursday, new records show. McKeel has raised a total of $295,966, including $80,910 during the last month. Among his latest contributors were firms related to Walt Disney World and the Geico insurance company. McKeel does not have a Democratic opponent in Tuesday’s election in House District 40. No-party candidate Lillian Lima of Lakeland had raised $2,622 through Oct. 12, though her latest numbers had not been posted on the state Division of Elections website Friday morning.
HD 50: GOODSON TOPS $42K
Bolstered by the state Republican Party, Rep. Tom Goodson, R-Cocoa, reeled in $42,250 between Oct. 13 and Thursday as he tries to return to Tallahassee in House District 50, according to newly filed records. Goodson, who has raised an overall total of $230,015, collected a $20,000 check from the Republican Party during the latest period and also received in-kind help. Goodson’s Democratic opponent, Sean Ashby of Orlando, raised $960 during the latest period and reported an overall total of $12,060.
HOOPER HAULS IN CASH IN HD 67
Rep. Ed Hooper, R-Clearwater, collected $47,250 in campaign cash between Oct. 13 and Thursday, including $25,000 from the state Republican Party, newly filed records show. Hooper reported an overall contribution total of $285,810, giving him a hefty advantage over the Democratic candidate in House District 67, Ben Farrell of Clearwater. Farrell had raised $15,400 through Oct. 12, though his latest totals had not been posted to the state Division of Elections website Friday morning.
ALSO
ANOTHER STOP IN FL FOR PAUL RYAN: Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan, the running mate for GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney, stops in Florida for a rally in Panama City on Saturday. The visit comes less than 72 hours before polls open. (Saturday, 5:45 p.m. CDT, doors open 3:45 p.m. CDT, McKenzie Park, Oak Ave. and Park St., Panama City.)
