First Coast House Incumbents Post Unimpressive 2Q Fundraising

The second quarter of 2013 fundraising reports for candidates for the Florida Legislature are starting to trickle out -- and two Republican incumbents representing parts of the First Coast underwhelmed in that period. While members of the Legislature are prohibited from raising during session, neither Rep. Doc Renuart, R-Ponte Vedra, nor Rep. Janet Adkins, R-Fernandina Beach, did much in the way of fundraising during the entire period.

Renuart, who represents parts of St. Johns County, raised only $1,600 from April 1-June 30 and spent $128. Thats a major step back from the almost $14,000 he brought in during the first quarter of 2013. Renuart has just less than $16,000 on hand.

Adkins, who represents parts of Duval and Nassau counties, did even less, bringing in $1,000 and spending $993.75 -- meaning she added a whopping $6.25 for the second quarter. In the first quarter of 2013, Adkins raised $14,150 and, as of June 30, she has around $12,400 on hand.

Both of the House members represent safe Republican seats. Republicans make up 51 percent of Adkins district while only 30 percent are Democrats. Renuart is even safer from the Democrats who make up only 25 percent of his district while 55 percent are Republicans. But, as Renuart knows very well after a tough contest against Mike Davis and Kim Kendall in 2012, they remain open to primary threats -- especially as they face dramatically different districts than the ones they were first elected to represent. With no opposition yet, both Adkins and Renuart are heavy favorites to keep their seats in 2014 but they certainly did not help their chances with lackluster fundraising in the second quarter of 2013.