Karen Castor Dentel and GOP Build War Chests for 2014

The stakes are getting raised as Rep. Karen Castor Dentel, D-Maitland, looks to defend her House seat in 2014. Castor Dentel defeated Republican incumbent Scott Plakon in 2012 to represent parts of Orange and Seminole counties.

While she could not raise funds in April and early May when the Legislature was in session, Castor Dentel raised almost $14,500 in the second quarter of 2013, relied on around $460 through in-kind donations and spent $4,460 in that period. So far in the contest, Castor Dentel has raised more than $37,600 and has around $33,000 on hand.

But two Republicans have entered the race and are raising serious cash as well. Longwood City Commissioner Bob Cortes brought in $11,525 during the second quarter but spent almost $6,050. So far in the contest, Cortes has raised more than $36,600, loaned his campaign $25,000 and spent more than $9,100, leaving around $52,500 in the bank.

Cortes does not have a clear shot at the Republican nomination. Scott Sturgill, the CEO of Durable Safety Products and a member of the Seminole County Soil and Water Conservation District, entered the race at the end of April. Between then and June 30, Sturgill raised $11,510 -- only $15 less than Cortes despite not being in the race most of April. Sturgill kept all of it in the bank.

This is a swing district with 38 percent of the district as Republicans and 37 percent as Democrats.