Jim Rosica
Democrat Loranne Ausley will post contributions of $14,330 for the latest campaign finance report in the House District 9 race.
Her report had not been posted online by the state’s Division of Elections by Friday afternoon; a campaign assistant provided the figures upon request. The campaign will report no expenditures.
Republican candidate and Tallahassee attorney Jim Messer, on the other hand, reported contributions of $2,899 and expenditures of $4,669 for the same reporting period, Sept. 3-16.
That means that Ausley leads in cumulative cash on hand, roughly $198,000 to $111,000, with a month and a half to go till the general election.
Moreover, Ausley’s latest 30-second campaign ad, “Kids,” begins running Monday on cable and broadcast TV.
Ausley seeks to replace the term-limited Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda in the seat. Ausley, also an attorney, herself held the seat 2000-08 until she was term-limited.
The district traditionally swings Democrat: It’s entirely within Leon County, where registered Democrats currently outnumber Republicans 106,028 to 55,528. Another 36,907 are registered to other parties or no party.
Rehwinkel Vasilinda made news this week when she resigned the Democratic Party, announcing her decision in a tweet. The Florida House of Representatives website now lists her as “N,” meaning no party affiliated.
