After running for the Florida Senate and coming up short in 2010, former Rep. Carl Domino is looking to return to the state House, but he has to defeat four opponents in the Republican primary first.
Domino, an investment manager who served in the Navy during the Vietnam War and rose to the rank of commander in the Naval Reserve, was first elected to the Florida House in 2002, representing parts of Palm Beach County. While he served in the Republican leadership, including a stint as majority whip, Domino lost out to Ellyn Bogdanoff in the Republican primary for a state Senate seat back in 2010.
As he looks to return to the Florida House in HD 82, representing parts of Martin and Palm Beach counties, Domino has raised almost $49,000 and loaned his campaign $50,000 since entering the race in early January. By the end of the second quarter, Domino had spent more than $81,500 out of his war chest.
Domino faces a major opponent for the Republican nomination in Mary Lynn Magar. A businesswoman who currently serves as the GOP state committeewoman for Martin County, Magar has raised more than $57,000 since entering the race in May 2011 and has relied on more than $11,500 in loans. By the end of the second quarter, Magar spent more than $30,500.
Also in the race for the Republican nod is Calvin Turnquest who served three terms as a councilman of Tequesta, eventually rising to serve as its vice mayor. Since entering the race in July 2011, Turnques has raised almost $10,750 and relied on $6,000 in loans. He has spent more than $12,000 so far in the campaign.
Jonathan Milton, an engineer and small-business man from Stuart, is also seeking the Republican nomination, but like Turnquest he has not been able to keep up with Domino and Magar in the money chase. Since entering the race in the middle of January, Milton has raised $7,500 and loaned the campaign $5,600. Milton has spent almost $12,700, leaving little in the bank in the final weeks before the Aug. 14 primary.
Jon Pasqualone, a firefighter from Martin County who rose to become fire prevention chief and was president with the Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association, is also seeking the Republican nomination. Since entering the race in April 2011, Pasqualone has raised almost $7,900 and relied on $1,250 in loans and almost $1,100 through in-kind donations. He has spent more than $8,300.
Whoever emerges with the Republican nomination will be an extremely heavy favorite to win the House seat as there are no other candidates on the ballot. Come November, the Republican nominee will face Beverly Joy Hires who is running as a write-in candidate.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
