Drew Wilson
Senate Appropriations Chair Jack Latvala will hold the first fundraiser of his gubernatorial campaign on Sept. 7 in Clearwater.
The event will start at 5 p.m. at Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 N. McMullen Booth Rd. Those who didn’t get the invite in the mail but are looking to hop on the “#IBackJack” train can RSVP via 800-989-9566 or [email protected].
The Pinellas County Republican, who is finishing up his second stint in the Florida Senate, officially announced his entry into the race on Aug. 16.
He and Ag Commissioner Adam Putnam, who filed in May, are currently the only major GOP candidates in the race, however, the pair could be joined in the primary by one or both of House Speaker Richard Corcoran and U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis.
Many pundits have pegged the 65-year-old lawmaker as the “moderate” in the primary race but he disputes that moniker, even though it may be true compared to Putnam’s recent hard right messaging.
“I’m a little more environmentally conscious, perhaps, than other Republicans,” Latvala said on Facing South Florida before announcing his run. “And I’m an old-fashioned Republican from the standpoint that I think government ought to stay out of our lives – and that includes our personal lives. Some people think that makes me a moderate. Let them think what they want.”
He entered the campaign with about $3.85 million in his committee, Florida Leadership Committee. While a great start, Putnam ended July with more than $10 million on hand.
Check out the invitation below:
