Staff Reports
In advance of his 2018-20 House Speakership, state Rep. Jose Oliva‘s political committee this year has been sharing the wealth with his friends and allies, campaign finance records accessed Monday show.
Most recently, the Miami Lakes Republican’s committee, called Conservative Principles for Florida, gave $1,000 on May 19 to fellow House Republican Jose Felix Diaz’s state Senate run.
Diaz is seeking to take the South Florida seat vacated by former Sen. Frank Artiles.
On March 7, the committee chipped in $1,000 to Miami Republican Jeanette Nuñez, now the House Speaker pro tempore.
She’s eyeing current Sen. Anitere Flores’ seat in the 2020 election, according to the Division of Elections.
That month, the PC also wrote a check for $10,000 to the Friends of Matt Caldwell political committee.
The House Republican from North Fort Myers recently declared his candidacy for agriculture commissioner to replace the term-limited Adam Putnam, now a GOP candidate for governor.
In January, the committee gave $1,000 to political newcomer and attorney Mike Mena, who won a seat on the Coral Gables City Commission after a first-ever runoff election in the city’s history in April.
Also In January, insurance agent Jorge Gutierrez was the recipient of $1,000 for his Hialeah Gardens City Council campaign. “He is currently serving a four-year term until March 2021,” the city’s website says.
Oliva remains as CEO of Oliva Cigar Co. after selling the company last year to a European concern.
