Democrat Alan Grayson looks to defend his congressional seat against one of a host of Republican challengers. Grayson has raised an astonishing $3.5 million, $2.9 million from individuals and more than $533,000 from PACs. Grayson had more than $1.4 million cash on hand on June 30.
Republicans in the race have posted impressive fund-raising numbers but nowhere near what Grayson has raised. Grayson can sit back for a few weeks and wait for a Republican to emerge -- after they've spent their campaign cash in the primary contest.
This looks like a close battle for the Republican nomination. Businessman Bruce O'Donoghue has raised more than $378,000 in donations and kicked in more than $132,000 of his own money, leaving more than $298,000 on hand. Despite a late entry in the race, former state Senator and House Speaker Daniel Webster raised almost $241,000 and had almost $165,000 in the bank. Staffers for Rep. Kurt Kelly, R-Ocala, said on Friday that they had almost $138,000 on hand.Having given his campaign $77,000, Todd Long, an attorney who ran for the seat in 2008, raised more than $143,000 from individuals and had $109,000 in the bank on June 30. Tea Party activist Patricia Sullivan has brought in more than $56,000 and has less than $9,000 on hand.
Entrepreneur Peg Dunmire is running as the Tea Party candidate.
Grayson is controversial and a Democrat that Republicans love to hate. Whoever emerges from what could be a tight primary has a chance to knock Grayson off, but the incumbents war chest makes him the favorite though not an overwhelming one.
