HD 69 candidate Ray Blacklidge has raised over $73,000 since launching campaign in June

Today, the Ray Blacklidge campaign announced that it has raised over $73,000 since he filed to run for the District 69 seat in the Florida House two months ago.

Eighty-five donors have contributed over $52,000 to his campaign, with Blacklidge’s political committee, Friends of Ray Blacklidge, raising another $21,000.

“I am very heartened by the very strong, early support we are receiving,” said Blacklidge. “I’m so grateful that so many people are stepping up to make sure we have the resources needed to take our conservative vision to Tallahassee. I will keep working hard to get our message out to voters across the district.”

Blacklidge, a Republican, currently works as an attorney in the management of a Florida-based insurance company.

He is the first candidate to file for the seat since Representative Kathleen Peters announced she would not seek re-election in order to run for the Pinellas County Commission.

House District 69 covers the south Pinellas beach communities from Redington Shores to Fort DeSoto, as well as portions of St. Petersburg, Gulfport, Kenneth City, and Pinellas Park.

With 36 percent of the district’s voter registration, Republicans maintain a slight lead over the Democrats’ 35 percent. Independents and minor parties make up 29 percent of the district.