Ryan Ray
Democratic Ramon Alexander is closing in on the $100,000 mark in his bid to succeed Rep. Alan Williams in North Florida’s heavily Democratic HD 8.
The former Florida A&M University student body president and local nonprofit leader continued to outpace his primary rivals for the seat, bringing in $10,110 during the month of August for a total of $90,353 raised to date according to recently released state campaign finance records.
The haul keeps Alexander slightly ahead of Williams’ pace last time the seat was open. Williams posted $314,706 in campaign cash when he won the seat in 2008.
Dianne Williams-Cox, who challenged the incumbent Williams for the seat in 2014, brought in $5,845 including a $1,000 loan last month, her first reporting period of the cycle.
Gretna City Commissioner Clarence Jackson took in $4,020 during his first fundraising month as well in August, while former aide to the Tallahassee mayor’s office Brad Johnson took home $4,010.00 to bring his total to nearly $18,000 since he entered the race back in late 2013.
Alexander told Florida Politics the number of contributions – 984 – was more significant than the overall totals.
“My wife and I are grateful to the great number of people who believe enough in our campaign to give their hard-earned dollars in support of my candidacy,” said Alexander.
“Every dollar they give is an effort to improve the quality of life in Gadsden and Leon counties. My commitment to work for the betterment of our families in District 8 is very personal.”
HD 8 takes in all of Gadsden – the state’s only county with blacks as the majority – and the southern half of Tallahassee, including the state Capitol.
The district’s next representative is all but certain to be decided in the Democratic primary next August. The district gave more than 70 percent of its votes to President Barack Obama in 2012.
