A.G. Gancarski
In the race in Florida’s 4th Congressional district, financial disclosures for the major-party candidates reveal that no matter whether the Republican or the Democrat wins, neither candidate can be mistaken for a member of the moneyed elite.
Republican John Rutherford benefits from healthy public pensions and conservative investments, as his May filing suggests.
In terms of income, Rutherford draws $131,694 a year from the Police and Fire Pension Fund, and another $48,000 from the State of Florida Department of Management.
As well, Rutherford and his wife have a rental property, valued between $250,001 and $500,000, from which they derive income ranging from $15,001 to $50,000.
The former Jacksonville sheriff also has between $50,001 and $100,000 at the City and Police Federal Credit Union, with under $1,000 of interest income.
Additionally, Rutherford has a 457(b) deferred compensation retirement plan with Jefferson National, valued between $100,001 and $250,000. And a New York Life policy with the same valuation range.
Rutherford did loan his campaign $50,000 ahead of the primary, suggesting a willingness to invest in his candidacy; however, odds are good he won’t have to do anything similar in the general election in the heavily Republican district.
Democrat Dave Bruderly is somewhat less well-heeled than Rutherford, according to his August filing.
Bruderly has a rental property in Gainesville, valued at under $100,000, from which he derives between $5,001 and $15,000.
He also holds “river/ranch land” in Bradford/Gilchrist, valued between $50,001 and $100,000.
As well, Bruderly has under $15,000 in checking with Bank of America, and a number of small accounts of various types, with valuations ranging from $1,001 to $15,000.
Bruderly also has a number of investment accounts.
Bruderly has four T. Rowe Price IRA accounts; three of them valued at under $1,000, and another valued between $50,001 and $100,000.
The Democrat also has five IRA accounts with Voya; two of those are valued between $15,001 and $50,000, and the other three between $1,001 and $15,000.
Bruderly also reported $6,000 in consulting fees from Reynolds, Smith, and Hills; a facilities, infrastructure, and aviation consulting firm in Jacksonville.
He also reports compensation in excess of $5,000 for consulting work with the Tallahassee Electric Utility (for an LNG Feasibility Study) and with RS&H Tallahassee for an alternative fuels master plan.
Bruderly loaned his campaign $12,000 this summer, which so far is the only reported financial influx into his campaign.
He has the capacity for further self-financing should he decide to indulge it.
