Drew Wilson
Democratic Rep. Wengay “Newt” Newton is holding a fundraiser in St. Petersburg later this month in support of his re-election bid to House District 70.
Newton’s fundraiser is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on July 19 at the Parkshore Grill, 300 Beach Drive NE. Serving as the hosts are St. Pete philanthropists Bob and Susan Churuti.
Those looking to attend the event can RSVP by calling 727-619-6398 or by sending an email to the campaign via [email protected].
Newton was elected to the Florida House in 2016, succeeding now-Sen. Darryl Rouson. He took 62 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary before cruising past a Republican challenger with 76 percent of the vote on Election Day.
Despite those landslide wins two years ago, Newton faces some opposition in his quest for a second term.
Democrat Vito Sheeley filed to challenge Newton in July 2017 and Keisha Bell made it a three-way primary race when she entered at the beginning of February.
As of June 22, he led the field with $36,716 raised and $21,376 in the bank. Sheeley has raised $15,500 and has just under $6,000 in the bank, while Bell has raised $10,302 and has $3,429 on hand.
HD 70 covers pieces of Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota counties including chunks of St. Pete and Sarasota as well as the communities of Memphis, Samoset and Ruskin.
Since all candidates vying for the seat are Democrats, the election will be decided in the Aug. 28 primary.
Newton’s invitation is below.
