Scott Powers
State Rep. Randolph Bracy and former state Sen. Gary Siplin boasted the biggest fundraising efforts in April in the Orlando-based Senate District 13 race.
That does not include loans. With $10,000 he lent his campaign, former state Rep. Bob Sindler brought in $13,950, while Bracy raised $10,500, Siplin $9,145 and environmental activist Chuck O’Neal $2,465 during the month.
Yet it was O’Neal, who had previously jumpstarted his campaign with $60,000 in personal loans, who showed the most activity in the month as his campaign brought on staff and began full-fledged campaigning, spending more than $46,000 in April.
At month’s end, Bracy was set with $47,396 in the bank, the most of any candidate, much of that left over from his previous state representative campaign account. He said he was saving his money for a late push in the Aug. 30 primary race.
All four candidates are Democrats in the heavily Democratic district that is being vacated by state Sen. Geraldine Thompson of Orlando, who is running for Congress in Congressional District 10.
O’Neal, of Apopka, finished April with $29,403 on hand, while Sindler, of Orlando boasted $11,263 and Siplin, of Orlando had $7,225 in the bank.
O’Neal began bringing on campaign staff in March, though their first paychecks did not appear until the April report. He’s hired nationally active environmental and civil rights activist Anthony Rogers-Wright as his campaign manager, Ali Kurnaz as his deputy campaign manager and several field operatives.
“It’s hand-to-hand combat,” O’Neal said. “That’s the way win this district.”
Sindler hired Sandra Lewis as a campaign consultant.
Siplin said his campaign was still gearing up, but that he believed support would be strong.
