Drew Wilson
Republican Senate District 23 candidate Nora Patterson announced Wednesday that she had received endorsements from more than 150 from local leaders.
“It hasn’t always been easy finding common ground on issues of concern. But I’ve learned that standing on principle and working for solutions, not grandstanding, gets the job done for the people. Standing on principle doesn’t sit well with the lobbyists and special interests, but I don’t work for them, I work for the people – always have, always will,” Patterson said.
The support for the former Sarasota County commissioner came in from local business owners, attorneys and area residents and adds to the list of 12 elected officials who endorsed the candidate in January.
Among the newly announced endorsements was the former editor of the Venice Gondolier, Bob Vedder, who called Patterson “a strong advocate for the needs of South County including many key roads and utility projects.”
“She has a unique and effective style of being able to win critical votes while sticking to what is principled,” Vedder said.
Board member and former chair of the Siesta Key Association Catherine Luckner and her husband, energy logistics consultant and wildlife conservationist Dr. Robert Luckner echoed those sentiments.
“Nora Patterson always remembers she represents the people, not the powerful special interests,” the pair said in a press release. “When we needed a champion to stand up and fight we knew we could count on Nora.”
Patterson is currently facing four other Republicans in the newly redrawn SD 25, including Sarasota Rep. Greg Steube and former Republican Rep. Doug Holder, as well as Rick Levine and Frank Cirillo.
While Patterson leads the pack in endorsements, Steube has a substantial fundraising advantage. Through February, the third-term representative had more than $215,000 on hand, followed by Patterson with about $124,000 on hand, including $60,000 of her own money.
Holder is not far behind, with about $120,000 in his campaign account heading into March. Levine had around $1,700 on hand after two months in the race. Cirillo, who filed earlier this month, has yet to file his first campaign finance report.
