Peter Schorsch
Miami Republican Sen. Anitere Flores announced Wednesday she raised more than $250,000 last month between her campaign and political committee.
“I am humbled and overwhelmed by the continued support our campaign has received, not only door-to-door in the community, but also by financial support within the region and our district,” Flores said. “Every dollar raised equates to direct voter contact and increasing our ability to get out our message and meeting our goals for our campaign. We are fighting for the future of our community, and I am grateful for the amazing support we have received.”
Flores’ campaign raised the bulk of the money, with $153,000 in contributions last month compared to $100,000 for her committee, “Floridians for Strong Leadership.”
The committee now sits with $257,850 on hand after $23,039 in expenditures last month. The second-term senator has not yet released the full report for her campaign account, so it is unknown how much she has on hand, though as of April 30 she had about $305,000 in the bank.
Among Flores’ political committee donors last month were the Associated Industries of Florida, which chipped in $25,000, as well Wal-Mart and U.S. Sugar, both of which gave $10,000. The bulk of committee expenses went to advertising, including a $13,700 payment to Clear Channel Outdoor.
Flores is running in the newly redrawn Senate District 39, which isn’t as friendly to GOP candidates as her current district. According to the district plan, Republican voters make up 36.4 percent of the electorate, the same percent share as Democrats, though back in 2012 President Barack Obama carried the district by about five points and Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson won by 10 points.
Currently, Flores is the only Republican running in SD 39, though she faces a tough fight against Democrat Andrew Korge in the general. Through April, the real estate businessman had more than $163,000 on hand in his campaign account and another $322,000 on hand from his political committee, “Friends of Andrew Korge.”
The third-generation Miamian hasn’t posted his full May report yet, though he announced earlier this week he raised another $102,000 last month.
Also running is no-party candidate Sheila George, who had less than $100 in her campaign account at the end of April. Full campaign finance reports for all candidates are due Friday.
