Republican congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen drew a Democratic challenger in Rolando Banciella -- but apparently not much of a challenge. Ros-Lehtinen had more than $1 million on hand on June 30; Banciella hasn't raised more than $5,000.
On Thursday, campaign staffers for Dr. Rudy Moise announced their candidate had more than $900,000 on hand -- bad news for a field of officeholders taking Moise on for the Democratic nomination to replace U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek.
Republican congressman Tom Rooney looks headed to another term in the House, with almost $631,000 on hand. Army veteran Jim Horn, currently working as a business consultant, takes on Ed Tautiva, a middle school teacher, for the Democratic nomination. William Dean is running as a write-in candidate. None of them are anywhere near close to Rooney in terms of war chests.
Republican Bill Posey is defending his congressional seat against retired NASA official and Cape Canaveral City Councilwoman Shannon Roberts. Posey appears headed for another term. He has raised almost $890,000, with almost $402,000 of that coming from PACs. On June 30, Posey had almost $310,000 on hand.
Having raised more than $784,000 -- with almost $126,000 coming from PACs -- Republican congressman Connie Mack appears headed for another term. Mack had more than $639,000 on hand as of June 30.
Just like 2008, congressman Vern Buchanan will face off once again against fire alarm contractor Don Baldauf for the Republican nomination. Having raised more than $1.7 million -- almost $250,000 of that coming from PACs -- and with more than $1.1 million on hand, Buchanan should have no problem in the primary.
With Adam Putnam leaving Congress to run for state agriculture and consumer services commissioner, Dennis Ross, a former state representative, is a heavy favorite over Tea Party activist John Lindsey for the Republican nomination. Ross has put together an impressive fund-raising operation with more than $489,000 from individuals, $256,000 from PACs, more than 20,000 from the party and $25,000 of his own funds.
While she has spent more than $300,000 so far, Democratic congresswoman Kathy Castor posted impressive fund-raising numbers, bringing in more than $360,000 from individuals and more than $260,000 from PACs so far. As of June 30, she had more than $427,000 on hand.
Democrats were hoping to knock off U.S. Rep. Bill Young, the longest-serving Republican in Congress. They recruited a top challenger in Sen. Charlie Justice, D-St. Petersburg, who has been in the Legislature since 2000.
Republican congressman Gus Bilirakis looks set to win another term. He has brought in almost $835,000 with almost $209,000 of that coming from PACs. As of June 30, he had more than $366,000 on hand.
