A.G. Gancarski
In the northeastern part of Florida, one high-profile state Senate race was in doubt almost to the end.
The Senate District 8 slugfest between Democrat Rod Smith and the Election Night winner, Republican Keith Perry, was the marquee matchup and a boon, via advertising, for mass media companies.
Perry narrowly won, 119,284 to 107,394 — a margin of 52 to 48 percent.
Polls showed as the race progressed, momentum was moving to Perry. And that momentum was helped along by timely ads, running in heavy rotation through Election Day, from the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee.
Virtually anyone who is anyone in the Florida Senate gave serious money to the FRSCC (for example, “Friends of Dana Young,” which gave the committee a million dollars from October to Nov. 3). But one committee — “Working for Florida’s Families,” the committee of Sen. Rob Bradley — stands out in the SD 8 race.
Bradley’s committee gave $100,000 to the FRSCC on Oct. 28, bringing the committee’s total contributions to the FRSCC this year to $150,000.
We noted in our Winners and Losers post Bradley was a behind-the-scenes surrogate and fundraiser for Perry.
The GOP goes into session with a 25 to 15 edge in the Senate.
A big reason why: the Republican Party doing what was needed to keep Rod Smith from winning SD 8.
And a big help in that regard: Rob Bradley.
The FRSCC contribution from his committee is just one example, funding advertising ubiquitous in the area, and ensuring that a popular, moderate Democrat didn’t steal a seat from the GOP.
