Ryan Ray
Rep. Ray Pilon raised just $1,985 this past month while his opponent in Sarasota’s HD 72, Democrat Edward James, brought in more than $30,000 between his campaign account and an affiliated PAC.
That blowout margin bears an asterisk — Pilon was prohibited from taking contributions for most of June because of the Special Session — but it also reflects the most serious threat the third-term Republican has faced since he defeated former Rep. Keith Fitzgerald to snag the seat back in 2010.
Pilon, who announced he will seek re-election to the House days after James entered the race, says he’s not concerned.
“We’re fine. It’s a long way away from the finish line and I’m very confident from the calls I’ve been getting we will do very well in raising sufficient dollars to run a strong campaign and win reelection,” Pilon said Thursday. “He had the advantage of being able to get out of the gate really quickly, and that’s what a formidable opponent should do.”
However, “People sometimes peak too early,” he observed.
Pilon said his experience in government is a major advantage over his opponent. In particular, he pointed to this year’s passage of his Florida “Right to Try” Act allowing terminally ill patients to access experimental medicines as an example of his ability to move his priorities within the House majority.
“So far my opponent has listed things that he wants to change, all of which I’ve voted for,” Pilon said.
That may be because those things James cited, such as this year’s iteration of the film and entertainment incentives package, were sponsored by locally popular moderate Sen. Nancy Detert, whose seat Pilon considered pursuing in 2016 and whom James says he admires.
Pilon has $48,038 cash on hand compared to James’ $30,175, more than 2014 Democratic challenger Greg Para raised during his entire candidacy and just shy of the $32,197 total for 2012 Dem nominee Liz Alpert.
According to a fundraiser invitation obtained by FloridaPolitics.com, James’ first fundraiser, set for Sunday, will see major Democratic bundlers on the host committee. Caren and Dick Lobo, Frank Brunckhorst and Marty Rausch — who combined to raise more than $300,000 for Charlie Crist‘s gubernatorial bid last year — will be among them.
If all goes as the James camp plans, the two could be on more or less equal footing in terms of campaign cash, unprecedented in the swing district where President Barack Obama took 51 percent of the vote in 2008 and 48 percent in 2012.
For now Pilon says that doesn’t concern him, saying he’s focused at the tasks at hand, including the upcoming Special Session to redraw eight Congressional districts.
“We’re going to do what we’ve always done, and that’s run a great campaign.”
