Scott Powers
Democrat Mike Clelland announced a huge fundraising April for his Senate District 13 campaign.
Clelland, a former state representative from Seminole County, announced he raised $101,500 for his political committee Common Sense for Central Florida and another $20,380 for his official campaign during the month.
That, he announced in a news release issued Thursday, brings his combined total to more than $327,000 in cash-on-hand, likely putting him far ahead of any of his Democratic competitors.
“The overwhelming support I continue to receive from our community is simply humbling. My resolve to serve as a voice for the hardworking families of Central Florida has never been stronger,” Clelland stated in that release. “I am honored to know that our goal of restoring true public service to public office has resonated with so many people here at home.”
Clelland faces a primary challenge for the seat with another former state representative, Linda Stewart, and former Orange County school board member Rick Roach, who held a big fundraiser over the past weekend. Neither of them has yet announced their campaign finance data through April.
The winner likely would face real estate company owner Dean Asher, the only Republican in the race. Asher has been raising money very competitively with Clelland so far.
Details on Clelland’s contributions will not be available until the Florida Division of Elections posts the latest campaign reports within a few days. Clelland is a trial lawyer and former firefighter, and his past reports have shown his political committee getting big contributions from firefighters’ unions and his official campaign getting numerous contributions from fellow lawyers.
