John Rutherford, Ted Yoho qualify for re-election

John Rutherford’s re-election bid is all but a sure thing.

Popular Northeast Florida Republican Congressmen John Rutherford and Ted Yoho, heavy favorites for re-election, have qualified for the 2018 ballot.

Rutherford, whose district encompasses Nassau, Duval, and northern St. Johns Counties, has $300,000 in the bank for his re-election campaign.

Jacksonville candidates Joceline Berrios and Monica DePaul, as well as Ponte Vedra businessman George Selmont, comprise the three candidates from the Democratic Party. Each has yet to qualify. Of the three, Selmont is the only one to report fundraising; he has $6,000 on hand.

Rutherford is guaranteed to face a familiar opponent, however; Gary Koniz, an NPA candidate who is in the habit of sending long, discursive emails to office holders and press outlets, is on the ballot.

Yoho, who represents the 3rd District that runs southwest from Orange Park through Gainesville, likewise is qualified, and enjoys a fundraising cushion with $355,000 cash on hand.

That puts him ahead of primary challengers Judson Sapp ($23,915 on hand) and Chuck Callesto (no fundraising).

One Democrat has qualified (Dushyant Gosal, who has $383 on hand). Yvonne Hinson and Tom Wells have yet to qualify as of Monday, and have $13,297 and $1,782 on hand respectively.