Drew Wilson
Future Senate President Bill Galvano brought had a monster March, with nearly $500,000 in contributions to his “Innovate Florida” political committee.
The Bradenton Republican brought in $494,200 for his committee the week before the start of the 2017 Legislative Session, including $50,000 each from the Florida Medical Association and the Florida Chamber of Commerce, with the chamber chipping in another $25,000 through an affiliated political committee.
Lawmakers must pause their fundraising efforts during the Legislative Session, which this year started on March 7, though they often bring in large amounts of money during a fundraising sprint in the days leading up to Session.
Other big donors included Florida Power and Light and the Florida Jobs PAC, which each chipped in $25,000, and the Florida Hospital Association and Altria Client Services, which each gave $20,000.
Innovate Florida’s contributions were offset by $405,000 in spending during the month, including a $100,000 contribution to the Free Speech PAC run by Republican consultant Randy Nielsen and $75,000 a piece to the Taxpayers in Action and Citizens First political committees.
Galvano, who is set to take over as Senate President after the 2018 elections, had about $785,000 on hand at the end of the March. He has raised more than $6.8 million for the political committee since 2013.
