A.G. Gancarski
The Ron DeSantis for Florida campaign announced Monday that it raised $772,000 in the fourth quarter of 2015, bringing its total contributions for 2015 to almost $3 million.
“This latest financial report proves that Congressman DeSantis has cemented himself as the front-runner for the Republican nomination in Florida. The campaign not only enjoys the support of a majority of Florida’s major political donors but it also now includes some of the biggest Republican donors from around the country,” said DeSantis for Florida campaign manager Brad Herold.
“People across the country know that Florida is ground zero in the battle for control of the U.S. Senate and it is clear that Congressman DeSantis is the only GOP candidate who can raise the resources and amass the grassroots support necessary to run a strong statewide campaign.”
DeSantis’ shop, in a close race with David Jolly and Carlos Lopez-Cantera for the GOP Senate nod, also addressed Jolly’s bill to restrict fundraising by incumbents in no uncertain terms.
“You’re not going to beat Patrick Murphy or Alan Grayson, and help keep the U.S. Senate in Republican hands by tying both hands behind your back. Ron DeSantis has proven he’s the only candidate in this race who can put together a winning statewide campaign and we’re going to continue to do that,” Herold said.
The Jolly side had a different take on all of this.
“Congressman DeSantis’ fundraising numbers only illustrate the problem in congress as detailed by David Jolly today. By missing votes, not reading bills because he was off fundraising and trying to hide that fact when asked, and traveling to Vegas with his hand out raising money, Congressman DeSantis is showing the people of Florida that he spends more time meeting with the political elite and fundraisers than he does with the voters or doing his job,” said Jolly’s spokesperson, Sarah Bascom.
“The DeSantis campaign should admit that you will not defeat ISIS, fix the national debt or make a real impact in Washington if you never show up to vote. Sounds to me like his fundraising blitz is what really has his hands tied behind his back and inhibiting him from hitting the vote button on the house floor,” Bascom added.
“Glad-handing does not make you a front-runner. Rising poll numbers and the continued support from voters who are tired of a do-nothing Washington does,” Bascom concluded.
