With Adam Putnam leaving Congress to run for state agriculture and consumer services commissioner, Dennis Ross, a former state representative, is a heavy favorite over Tea Party activist John Lindsey for the Republican nomination. Ross has put together an impressive fund-raising operation with more than $489,000 from individuals, $256,000 from PACs, more than 20,000 from the party and $25,000 of his own funds. Ross had more than $440,000 cash on hand as of June 30 -- while Lindsey, who has raised less than $12,000 altogether, had more than $1,200.
In the battle for the Democratic nomination, Polk County Elections Supervisor Lori Edwards had a solid financial advantage over Douglas Tudor, who ran against Putnam in 2008, but is nowhere near Ross. Edwards has taken in more than $167,000 from individuals, $134,000 from PACs and had more than $103,000 on hand. Tudor said on Friday that he had more than $32,000 cash on hand.
Polk County Commissioner Randy Wilkinson is running on the Tea Party line.
The district is increasingly going Democratic but Ross looks like the favorite to keep this seat for the Republicans.
