Scott Powers
Republican incumbent state Rep. Bob Cortes raised $12,680 in April for his re-election campaign in House District 30, renewing the pace he had set before the Florida Legislative Session.
Cortes, a first-term Republican in a swing district that straddles Orange and Seminole counties, also spent about $4,700 in April. That leaves him with about $104,000 in the bank.
He is being challenged this year by Democrat Ryan Yadav, an Orlando lawyer who has been largely self-financing his campaign in what could be a very competitive race. Yadav’s April campaign finance numbers have not yet been posted by the Florida Division of Elections, but he entered April with $84,000 in the bank. Yadav has lent his campaign $70,000.
Cortes is a Longwood small-business owner.
Earlier Monday, Democratic strategist Steve Schale listed HD 30 as one of the races to keep an eye on, noting that indicators suggest it could flip to Democratic, but that Cortes, “has fended off a top-tier opponent.”
“We were making some phone calls and gearing up for what we understand will be a contested race,” Cortes said. “We know by no means will it be a walk in the park.”
