Legislators Raised Big Bucks, Led by Benacquisto

Florida legislators raised some serious cash for this election cycle,according to the state Division of Elections.The totals put the senators in a good position for their 2014 re-election campaigns.

Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, was the leader of the pack this quarter, raising $411,000, while Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, trailed behind her with $283,000. Following Benacquisto and Negron was Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, who raised the third-highest amount at $253,000.

Ranking fourth on the top Senate fundraisers was Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, who brought in $204,000 for the cycle. The fifth highest fundraiser in the Florida Senate was Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, who garnered $176,000.

In the Florida House, Rep. Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, came out on top with the highest fundraising totals for this election cycle, bringing in $223,000. Rep. Dana Young, R-Tampa, raised the second highest amount at $174,000, followed by Rep. Eric Eisnaugle, R-Orlando, who garnered $150,000. The fourth- and fifth-highest fundraisers in the Florida House were Rep. Matt Hudson, R-Naples, and Julio Gonzalez, who is running for the House District 74 seat. Hudson and Gonzalez raised $119,000 and $118,000, respectively.