Wesley Chapel Republican Will Weatherford, who is set to become House speaker after the 2012 elections, collected $190,300 in campaign contributions between July 1 and Sept. 30 -- far outdistancing all other House candidates.
Weatherford, whose only declared opponent in District 61 is no-party candidate Franklin Donald Stockmeister, increased his overall cash total for the 2012 campaign to $266,750, according to quarterly reports filed this week.
He collected contributions from a wide range of businesses and organizations that have interests in Tallahassee, such as HMOs, theme parks, pari-mutuel facilities and online-travel companies.
Freshman Rep. Dana Young, R-Tampa, also had a huge fundraising quarter, raising $140,495. Young, who does not have an opponent so far in District 57, has raised a total of $213,145.
Another expected future House speaker, New Port Richey Republican Richard Corcoran, also was a top fundraiser during the quarter, raising $77,100. Corcoran, who has lined up support to become speaker in 2016 if Republicans maintain their majority in the chamber, is unopposed in District 45 and has raised a total of $116,350.
The contribution reports show a dramatic fundraising divide between Republicans -- who dominate the House and control its leadership positions -- and Democrats.
The top Democratic fundraiser for the quarter was Jared Moskowitz, a Parkland city commissioner who is running to replace term-limited Rep. Ari Porth, R-Coral Springs, in District 96. Moskowitz raised $46,589 during the three-month period and has collected a total of $104,587.
Among other non-incumbents, the top money-raiser was Davie Republican Merick Lewin, who collected $62,360. Lewin is running in District 97, which is being vacated by Rep. Martin Kiar, a Davie Democrat seeking a Senate seat.
Here is a list of the top 10 House fundraisers during the quarter:
- Weatherford.
- Young.
- Rep. Daniel Davis, R-Jacksonville ($80,053).
- Corcoran.
- Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach ($72,050).
- Rep. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg ($70,160).
- Lewin.
- Rep. Matt Hudson, R-Naples ($54,594).
- Rep. Larry Ahern, R-St. Petersburg ($54,450).
- Rep. Ray Pilon, R-Sarasota ($52,105).
