Florida is gearing up for 2016, with the state’s two major political parties ramping up efforts to raise cash as they enter another big election year in the Sunshine State.
The second fundraising quarter in Florida from April 1 to the end of June took place during a critical time for the Republican Party of Florida and the Florida Democratic Party — both were funneling significant cash into the nail-biter Jacksonville mayoral race. Ultimately, former RPOF chair Lenny Curry emerged victorious, knocking out incumbent mayor Alvin Brown.
During that time period, the Republican Party of Florida raised $1.9 million, with much of the campaign contributions raised in connection with the Jacksonville mayor’s race. A significant chunk — $1.1 million — appears to have been raised in connection to the Jacksonville mayor’s race through Curry’s own political committee, Together for a Greater Jacksonville.
Some insiders have pointed to recent RPOF fundraising numbers as an indicator the party is in a fundraising slump. Earlier this year, party leadership changed hands from Gov. Rick Scott-supported Leslie Dougher to new state Rep. Blaise Ingoglia.
The overthrow caused a shakeup in the fundraising dynamic which had been the norm in the party, with Scott and the Republican Senate campaign fundraising committee both withdrawing from RPOF fundraising activities.
Scott and the Republican senators’ decision to pull out of party fundraising means slightly less money reflected in fundraising reports.
The Florida Democratic Party raised slightly less money than the RPOF did, but not by much — the FDP raised $1.6 million in the second quarter, according to campaign finance reports. Like the RPOF, a significant chunk (more than half) of the money raised during the second quarter was raised in connection with the Jacksonville mayor’s race.
The fundraising committee for former mayor Alvin Brown, Taking Jacksonville to the Next Level, posted the biggest contributions to the fundraising report.
When it came to Senate fundraising, the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee raised around $600,000. But with legislators tied up in this year’s regular session and a special legislative session, numbers were down slightly. State lawmakers are not allowed to fundraise money during that time.
The biggest piece of the $600k raised in the second quarter came from Innovate Florida, a political committee controlled by Sen. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton.
Fundraising numbers for Florida’s third quarter are due in a few short days on Oct. 13 — and with legislators able to fundraise during July, most of August and all September, the numbers could be higher around the board.
Sunshine State News asked RPOF chair Blaise Ingoglia what kind of success the report could show for the party, but Ingoglia said he could not discuss fundraising until the official report had been released.
SSN also attempted to contact FDP Chairwoman Allison Tant to discuss the party’s outlook for the third quarter, but Tant had not returned SSN’s phone calls as of this article’s release.
The third quarter report will be released on Oct. 13.
Reach Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com
