Scott Powers
Republican state Rep. Rene Plasencia, who is finding a tougher challenge than he might have anticipated in House District 50, enjoyed his best fundraising period yet in early August, raising $16,825.
The tally gives the first-term lawmaker, who is seeking a second term but in a different district, an overwhelming financial advantage over his Republican primary opponent George Collins.
Plasencia may need it, as Collins has boasted a string of straw poll wins in the Brevard County portion of HD 50, which covers far eastern Orange County and Brevard. Most Republican voters in the district live in Brevard.
Plasencia also spent $20,625 campaigning between July 30 and Aug. 12, most of that going to John Dowless‘ Millennium Consulting full-service campaign company. Overall, Plasencia, a high school teacher and track coach, has raised $185,000 for this race and spent $144,000, meaning he’s still got $41,000 left.
Plasencia’s latest report, through Thursday, had not yet been posted by the Florida Division of Elections.
By significant contrast, Collins, a retired Orlando television producer, has raised only $4,547 overall through Thursday. Yet Collins had lent $44,560 to his campaign, including another $3,000 this month.
He’s spent more than $8,300 this month, most of that going to Doug Kaplan‘s Gravis Marketing full-service campaign company. That left Collins with about $3,300 in cash heading into primary weekend.
Awaiting the winner for a November showdown is Democratic nominee Sean Ashton.
