Drew Wilson
Termed out Pensacola Republican Rep. Clay Ingram is hosting a fundraiser on May 8 for Rebekah Bydlak, the leading candidate running to replace him in House District 1 this fall.
The reception will run from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Ingram’s home in Pensacola, and the guest list includes several Republican politicians from across the state.
Current lawmkers on the invite include Bradenton Rep. Jim Boyd, Sanford Rep. Jason Brodeur, Eucheeanna Rep. Brad Drake, Hialeah Rep. Manny Diaz Jr., Vero Beach Rep. Erin Grall, Tampa Rep. James Grant, Panama City Rep. Jay Trumbull.
Former lawmakers making the trip include House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, former Senate President Don Gaetz as well as former Reps. Doug Holder, Chris Dorworth and Rob Schenck.
Bydlak, a Gonzalez Republican, has a strong fundraising lead in the HD 1 race. She faces former Rep. Mike Hill in the primary. Democrat Vikki Garrett is the only other candidate to file for the seat.
Through March, Bydlak had raised $112,602 for her campaign and had $91,435 of that money banked, while Hill’s total fundraising currently stands at $34,585 with $23,862 on hand. Garrett has $6,197 in her campaign account.
HD 1 covers the bulk of Escambia County, including the communities of Century, Molino, Gonzalez, Ensley, Ferry Pass, Belleview and Brent. Republicans hold a strong advantage in the Panhandle district when it comes to voter registrations and performance in recent elections.
In the 2016 race, Ingram cruised past unaffiliated candidate Bill Fetke with 76 percent of the vote. The district voted plus-27 for Donald Trump.
The fundraiser invite is below.
