Money finds former darkhorse candidate Bobby Payne in HD 19 race

Before Aug. 30, Palatka’s Bobby Payne was overshadowed in the HD 19 GOP primary by his two high-profile opponents, former RPOF Chair Leslie Dougher and Katherine Van Zant.

Since the primary in the safely Republican district, establishment money has quickly consolidated behind Payne.

In the period from Oct. 8 to Oct. 21, Payne received $35,250 of his total $161,240 raised.

Meanwhile, Payne is not spending the money; during that two-week period, Payne spent just $274. And since the primary, Payne has spent just over $3,500, leaving him with over $61,000 on hand.

Corporate money is finding Payne. From Merck Pharmaceuticals to Marathon Petroleum, and from Exxon Mobil to Managed Care of North America, the $500 and $1,000 checks that eluded Payne in the summer have found him in the fall.

Realtor, doctor, architect and CPA PACs are on board with Payne. And why not? He’s running against a Democrat, Hubert Snodgrass, who has roughly $2,000 on hand.

The Republican Party of Florida polled in this race; no word on what they found. But given that the district is deeply red, and given that Payne’s not spending money, one can surmise he’s well-positioned for an easy victory Nov. 8