Based on Campaign Finance Reports, It Looks Like Cliff Stearns is Cruising to a 12th Term in the U.S. House

The finance numbers for the second quarter of 2010, which ended on June 30, are slowly creeping in from political campaigns across the state. With federal campaign reports due in by July 15, some of the figures are now available. State candidates report their figures later in the month.

One thing is clear: U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns, who has been in Congress for more than two decades, is a near lock for another term based on his opponents campaign finance reports. Stearns faces a challenge from former Winter Springs City Councilman Don Browning for the Republican nomination. Independent Steve Schonberg, a doctor and attorney who is pushing campaign finance reform, will face the winner come November.

On June 30, Browning had $1,660 cash on hand -- despite contributing $25,000 of his own funds to the campaign. Schonberg poured in almost $7,400 of his own wealth into the campaign and still had $3,345 on June 30.

And Stearns? While the veteran incumbent has not posted his figures for the second quarter, as of March 31 he had $2.5 million in the bank.