Peter Schorsch
Rebekah Bydlak brought in more than $60,000 in her first month in the race to take over for Panhandle Republican Clay Ingram in House District 1.
According to a press release from Bydlak’s campaign, $50,000 of the August money came in through her campaign account with another $10,000 heading to her political committee.
“Our campaign continues to be humbled and encouraged by the widespread show of support within our community.” Bydlak said. “I look forward to building on this early momentum and delivering as a conservative champion for Northwest Florida as our next State Representative.”
The Cantonment Republican is currently the only GOP candidate running for the seat. So far her only competition in the race is Democrat Vikki Garrett, who has yet to post her first campaign finance report.
Bydlak is an alumna of both Pensacola State College and the University of West Florida, where she earned a master’s degree in Public Administration and Political Science. She currently works as the director of the Coalition to Reduce Spending, a group that advocates for reducing the national debt.
In 2016 she mounted an unsuccessful campaign for Florida’s 1st Congressional District, finishing fourth in the Republican Primary race won by U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz.
House District 1 covers the western inland portion of Escambia County, including Brent, Bellview, Ensley, Ferry Pass, Gonzalez and Molino.
The seat is among the most heavily Republican in the state. Ingram went virtually unopposed in 2012 and 2016, and in 2014 defeated Democrat Gloria Robertson-Wiggins with nearly 70 percent of the vote.
