Gary Price posts $64K in May, though Matt Hudson still in commanding lead

Gary-Price3

The race to take over termed-out Republican Sen. Garrett Richter’s District 23 seat was already setting up to be a hard-fought battle between Republican Reps. Matt Hudson and Kathleen Passidomo, when the May entry of Naples businessman Gary Price brought on what will likely be an even more contentious three-way primary.

Campaign finance numbers for May show Hudson is still firmly in the lead with $240,600 in contributions, though his May haul of $2,010 looks anemic in comparison to Passidomo’s $23,825 and Price’s impressive $64,250 during his debut month.

Price, who detailed his campaign platform in a Florida Politics exclusive in May, got maximum donations from 62 contributors. The list includes a handful of conservative PACs and local donors, though Price also drew contributions from Clearwater Republican Sen. Jack Latvala, who cut checks for $1,000 from himself, his company and his Florida Leadership Committee PAC.

Passidomo’s May contributions were offset by $13,683 in expenditures, mostly for mailers and consulting fees, leaving her with $91,000 in the bank. Hudson’s burn rate is low by comparison: With a total of $9,012 in expenditures since he filed, he has $231,588 cash on hand. Price has $68,100 on hand, including $5,000 in loans to his campaign.

If Price carries any fundraising momentum through June, he could make up a lot of ground because the Legislative Special Session halted contributions for both Passidomo and Hudson.

Drew Wilson

Drew Wilson covers legislative campaigns and fundraising for Florida Politics. He is a former editor at The Independent Florida Alligator and business correspondent at The Hollywood Reporter. Wilson, a University of Florida alumnus, covered the state economy and Legislature for LobbyTools and The Florida Current prior to joining Florida Politics.



#FlaPol

Florida Politics is a statewide, new media platform covering campaigns, elections, government, policy, and lobbying in Florida. This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media.

Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL

Contributors & reporters: Phil Ammann, Drew Dixon, Roseanne Dunkelberger, A.G. Gancarski, William March, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, Cole Pepper, Jesse Scheckner, Drew Wilson, and Mike Wright.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @PeterSchorschFL
Phone: (727) 642-3162
Address: 204 37th Avenue North #182
St. Petersburg, Florida 33704