Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster
Florida Democrats posted big fundraising numbers in the second reporting period of 2016.
State records show the Florida Democratic Party raised more than $4.7 million between April 1 and Aug. 25. That sum accounts for non-federal funds, and is more than double what the Florida Democratic Party raised in the second period of 2012.
“We’re using these funds to hold Republicans accountable and build the strongest grassroots field program the state has ever seen,” said Allison Tant, the chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party.
State records show the state party received $393,900 from “Independent Leadership for Florida,” the committee backing Rod Smith in Senate District 8; $198,513 from “Each Vote Counts,” the committee backing Jeff Clemens in Senate District 31; and $137,390 from “Floridians for Ethics Accountability and Responsibility,” the committee backing Gary Farmer in Senate District 34.
The state party also received $60,000 from the Seminole Tribe of Florida, $59,000 from U.S. Sugar Corp., and $55,000 from the FEA Solidarity Fund.
The state party spent nearly $3.8 million between April 1 and Aug. 25. Records show the state party spent $257,491 on salaries and $132,178 on canvassing during the time period.
“Already we’ve hired hundreds of field organizers, helped open 34 field offices across the state, and recruited thousands of volunteers to deliver Florida to Hillary Clinton and elect Democrats up and down the ballot in November,” said Tant in a statement. “We look forward to building our momentum and keeping Florida blue for the third presidential election in a row.”
Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida reports that the FDP also took in more than $120,000 from committees linked to the Associated Industries of Florida, one of the state’s leading business groups that ordinarily backs Republicans. This seems to follow a recent pattern of traditionally Republican donors giving to Democrats this cycle, pro-business types such as Tampa state Rep. Ed Narain, who is seeking a Senate seat.
