Ryan Nicol
State Rep. Matt Willhite is running laps around his Republican challenger when it comes to fundraising, pulling in nearly $18,000 in May.
That leaves Willhite, a Wellington Democrat, with more than $45,000 cash on hand. His only declared opponent, Laurel Bennett, had not filed any fundraising information with the Florida Division of Elections since February when she declared a $25 loan from herself to her campaign.
Bennett also challenged Willhite in 2016, losing 58 percent to 42 percent.
Willhite began his active re-election campaign with a fundraiser late last month. It seems to have paid off, with Willhite raising more money in May than he has in any other month this election cycle.
Willhite served as a firefighter for 20 years and as a Corpsman in the U.S. Navy. He graduated from Palm Beach State College with an associate degree in EMS, Technical Training for Firefighters.
He’s supported by multiple firefighters’ organizations and police unions, earning several donations from those groups in May.
HD 86 covers a portion of inland Palm Beach County, including Royal Palm Beach and Wellington.
