As the House District 24 special election on Tuesday approaches, Paul Renner finishes the campaign with a substantial fundraising lead. The Palm Coast Republican added $56,210 from March 1 through April 2, according to the state Division of Elections. Renner raised $294,340 overall, spending $261,748. HD 24 covers Flagler County and sections of St. Johns and Volusia counties.
In the same period, Renner’s Democratic opponent, Adam Morley of St. Augustine, raised $1,506, for an overall total of $4,559.
Both Renner and Morley seek the seat held by Rep. Travis Hutson, the Elkton Republican who is running in the special election for Senate District 6, which covers parts of St. Johns, Flagler, Putnam and Volusia counties. St. Augustine Republican John Thrasher resigned the legislative seat in November to become Florida State University president.
According to the Division of Elections, Hutson took in $13,000 on March 2, the final day he could fundraise, bringing his total to $399,905. As a sitting lawmaker, Hutson cannot raise money during the Legislative Session that started March 3. The updated report from Hutson’s Democratic opponent, David Cox of Daytona Beach, was pending as of Friday evening. Cox did raise $450 through Feb. 28.