Staff Reports
In this market, we periodically hear remarks about fundraising reports.
Often, people seek publicity for candidates who do not have the slightest interest in raising money. It’s hard for media to garner interest in a candidate who has no clue on how to target (or even reach) a constituency.
Others wonder why there are so many fundraising stories. Our answer is simple: The best way to know what drives a politician is by identifying who he or she strokes for checks.
The idea that covering a politician’s platform should be first or exclusive, while sounding nice, doesn’t jibe with the strong correlation between committed resources and victory.
This edition of BOLD (as well as the next few) will — by necessity — be about numbers. Whether left or right, there are ways to bring in money — donors, interests and causes.
Serious candidates find their way. The rest become footnotes.
GOP plays in CD 5 Dem primary
After two quarters, former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown is behind incumbent U.S. Rep. Al Lawson in the money race in Florida’s 5th Congressional District.
Brown announced Friday that he had raised over $165,000 in Q2, and had $144,360 cash-on-hand. Lawson, per his FEC report, kept pace with $136,514 raised — and more importantly, holds the COH edge with $219,272 on hand.
However, there is an interesting side story: Prominent Republicans are playing both sides of the Democratic primary in CD 5, with challenger Alvin Brown getting more GOP donor interest by far than incumbent Al Lawson.
Among Brown’s more interesting Republican contributors: charter school magnate Gary Chartrand, Jacksonville lobbyist Marty Fiorentino, Preston Haskell, former Republican Jacksonville City Councilman Stephen Yoost, former CSX President Michael Ward, and former Jaguars’ owner Wayne Weaver.
Lawson, meanwhile, saw a donation from Ballard Partners’ Susie Wiles, a longtime Lawson friend who chaired President Donald Trump’s campaign down the 2016 stretch.
Also see: Pelosi endorses Lawson.
Rutherford cruising to re-election
U.S. Congressman John Rutherford, if cash-on-hand is any indication, will cruise to re-election in Florida’s 4th Congressional District.
The first-term Jacksonville Republican raised $106,447 in Q2, spending $46,730, and ended Q2 with $360,466 on hand.
Rutherford got checks from a variety of Jacksonville businessmen, such as former Jacksonville Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver, as well as corporate citizens, including the GEO Group, Comcast, Publix and Universal Music Service.
The cash edge looks prohibitive: Democratic nominee Ges Selmont closed Q2 with $3,167 on hand, a number that simply won’t get it done.
Rutherford’s supportive Conservatives United political committee is not even raising money for this race, a strong indication that he doesn’t feel he’ll need it.
The former Jacksonville sheriff won the race to represent the coastal Northeast Florida district by 40 points in the 2016 general election.
Yoho stands tall against Sapp
U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, representing Florida’s 3rd Congressional District that runs from Orange Park to Gainesville and Ocala, has amassed a strong cash on hand lead against primary challenger Judson Sapp.
Yoho, a Republican seeking his fourth term, has $431,093 on hand, compared to $133,012 for Sapp.
In Q2, which ended at the end of June, Yoho raised $142,823, spending $67,282 in the same period. Almost $72,000 of the Yoho haul was from individual contributions.
Sapp actually took in more campaign money than Yoho in Q2, bringing in $172,525 in his second quarter in the race, spending $63,428.
Of that money, $165,000 (of a total $190,000) was self-financed. The most interesting external donor was the surprisingly still active Friends of Cliff Stearns, the political committee of the former congressman defeated in 2012 by Yoho in a primary.
Stearns’ political committee has been kept live, even though his political career has not.
The winner of this primary will face a lightly-funded Democrat in the general.
Congressmen pan the Prez
It’s a measure of how dubious President Donald Trump‘s performance was at the Helsinki summit that even Republicans who proudly campaigned with the president in 2016 are distancing themselves from his remarks.
Congressman Ted Yoho, who faces a primary challenge from Judson Sapp in Florida’s 3rd Congressional District, bemoaned a “missed opportunity” by the president.
“Today’s news conference between President Trump and Vladimir Putin was a missed opportunity to hold Russia accountable for their meddling into our 2016 presidential election … Putin has never been, nor will he be, a friend to the United States. It must be made clear to his regime that we will not tolerate any hostile action against the United States,” Yoho added.
U.S. Rep. John Rutherford bemoaned a “missed opportunity for the president to place additional pressure on Vladimir Putin for his regime’s misdeeds. Even with the president’s misgivings with those who seek to undermine him at home, we cannot equate ourselves with the Putin regime, its record of hostility, and its assaults on democratic values across the globe.”
Democratic U.S. Rep. Al Lawson spoke up too, saying the meeting was “utterly disgraceful.”
Duval DeSantis
U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, who looks increasingly like the front-runner in the Republican race for Governor, plans a Saturday morning meet and greet in downtown Jacksonville.
The event kicks off at 8:30 at the Omni downtown. If you miss him there, catch him at Orange Park’s La Nopalera in the afternoon.
A new poll has DeSantis leading the race by a 42 to 30 percent margin, an indication that as the pool of undecided voters becomes more shallow, DeSantis’ support deepens.
That survey confirms consultant reports of myriad internal polls that have shown a pro-DeSantis trend.
Putnam held a public event in Jacksonville late last week; however, attendance was down from previous Putnam stops, with only two incumbent politicians showing — a drop from previous events where Putnam had strong showings from the elected class.
Meanwhile, DeSantis’ last visit to the Jacksonville area, in late June, happened just as momentum in the race was beginning to turn.
Graham finally runs TV in Jacksonville
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gwen Graham finally bought TV time in Jacksonville this week.
Per a media release from her campaign: “The new ad, ‘Lessons,’ introduces Graham as a mother, former PTA president, congresswoman, and daughter of popular former Governor and Senator Bob Graham. Like her previous ads [not seen in the 904], the new spot contrasts 20 years of Republican rule with Graham’s progressive priorities of restoring public schools and expanding health care.”
To watch the ad, click on the image below:
“Everything I do is through the prism of being a mom,” Graham says in the ad. “The Florida Legislature have not taken Medicaid expansion. They have hurt education. They have used the lottery to reduce funding — but we’re gonna take it back.”
The media release notes that despite having spent just $3.8 million this campaign, “far less than her self-funding opponents” Jeff Greene and Philip Levine, Graham is still in the mix in polls.
The results of a recent survey conducted by St. Pete Polls and commissioned by Florida Politics shows Graham ahead of Levine and trailing Greene by just a tenth of a percentage point.
Bean sprouts above field
As is typical this time of year, a recap of state race fundraising.
In Senate District 4, incumbent Republican Aaron Bean continues to dominate the competition with almost $180,000 on hand. He’s destroying primary challenger Carlos Slay, who has $88 on hand. The winner of Bean/Slay will take on Democrat Billee Bussard, who raised $3,405 and now has $7,167 on hand, and Libertarian Joanna Tavares, who has $38 on hand …
The most competitive race for state House in the region is HD 15, where Democrat Tracye Polson, with $127,000 on hand, still holds a narrowing cash lead against the Republican field. GOP lobbyist Wyman Duggan has $122,947, well ahead of Mark Zeigler ($32,482 on hand) and Joseph Hogan ($12,537). Duggan has a hold card, however, with Mayor Lenny Curry cutting an ad on his behalf this week.
In HD 11, HD 12 and HD 16, Republican Reps. Cord Byrd, Clay Yarborough and Jason Fischer look safe. Byrd has over a 10-1 advantage over opponents in cash on hand. Yarborough: a 20-1 edge over a Democrat. Fischer: an 8-1 advantage.
Meanwhile, in HD 14’s money race, incumbent state Rep. Kim Daniels is way ahead of Duval County School Board chair Paula Wright.
Daniels, a first-term lawmaker from Jacksonville, answered the challenge with her best fundraising of the cycle in the two weeks between June 22 and July 6: $26,412, bringing her up to $47,227 raised with almost $28,000 of that on hand.
Republican money and interests, including private prisons, showed up for the Demonbuster.
Wright is far behind in fundraising after a very disappointing two-week period. She raised just $3,501.
What Bean is up to
On Saturday, The Fernandina Beach Republican will attend the River Road Baptist Church’s Clothing Giveaway 2018 and help distribute food and clothes to those in need (the free event is open to the public), 9 a.m., River Road Baptist Church, 21067 County Road 121, Hilliard.
On Monday, July 23, Bean will discuss tourism and related legislation at the Amelia Island Tourist Development Council workshop, noon, Omni Racquet Park Conference Center, Fernandina Beach. Later, he will speak to the first Coast Republican club, providing an update on the 2018 Legislative Session, 6:30 p.m., Casa Marina, Jacksonville Beach.
On Thursday, July 26, Bean will receive the Guardian ad Litem’s (GAL) Legislator of the Year Award, 1 p.m., Edward Ball Building, Jacksonville.
Boffo receipts for GOP senators
Political committees for powerful Northeast Florida Senate Republicans Travis Hutson and Rob Bradley stayed active as July heated up.
Both of Hutson’s committees, First Coast Business Foundation and Sunshine State Conservatives, were active in the days leading up to July 6, the final day for which reports are available.
First Coast Business Foundation moved $35,000 to Sun Coast Patriots, a committee that has gotten over $65,000 from Hutson committees since April.
Sunshine State Conservatives, meanwhile, brought in $51,000: $1,000 from Tesla, Elon Musk‘s car company, and $50,000 from Floridians United for Our Children.
Between the two committees, Hutson has roughly $430,000 in cash on hand.
Bradley’s Working for Florida’s Families committee, between June 30 and July 6, saw $30,000 in contributions with over $25,000 of that flowing out.
Voice of Florida Business ponied up $20,000; Floridians for Strong Leadership, the committee of Sen. Anitere Flores, the other $10,000.
The committee gave $15,000 to the Florida Republican Senatorial Committee, and dropped six $1,000 checks in the following campaigns: Sen. Kelli Stargel of Lakeland; Clearwater Rep. Ed Hooper‘s bid for the state Senate; South Florida Rep. Manny Diaz, Jr.‘s re-election bid; Pinellas Sen. Jeff Brandes‘ re-election effort; Gainesville Sen. Keith Perry‘s competitive bid for another term; and Marili Cancio‘s challenge to Kendall’s Democratic Sen. Annette Taddeo.
Ray stays paid
As of July 6, former State Rep. Lake Ray continues to lead his three opponents in fundraising for the Duval County Tax Collector election to be held this August.
The election, which will see the top two candidates move to the November ballot if no one gets a majority of votes, was necessitated by former tax collector Michael Corrigan moving on to a role with Visit Jacksonville.
Ray has raised and self-financed $136,935, with over $125,000 of that still on hand.
Ray’s closest competitor is also a Republican, former property appraiser and city councilman Jim Overton, who has raised $92,620 total, with just over $70,000 on hand.
Current Jacksonville City Councilman Doyle Carter, running third, has $63,000 on hand and Shad Khan’s blessing. And former Rep. Mia Jones is in fourth. Still in fourth place, the sole Democrat in the race: former State Rep. Mia Jones.
Jones raised $6,925, and has nearly $19,000 on hand.
CSX posts outstanding Q2
CSX Corp. is celebrating after reporting a strong second quarter of 2018, with nearly every metric showing improvement.
As reported by the Jacksonville Business Journal, net earnings saw a significant rise and efficiency improved while “trains dwelled less, moved faster, carried higher volumes and arrived on time more often than the previous quarter.”
“Two words I think sum up everything: great performance,” said CEO Jim Foote in an earnings call this week.
Compared to the second quarter of 2017, net earnings increased by more than $360 million — 72 percent — with almost 6 percent more revenue, $3.1 billion. At the same time, CSX spent 8 percent less, $1.8 billion, on expenses from the same period last year. Earnings per share came in at $1.01, a 46-cent improvement.
JTA seeks drivers for new downtown-to-beach route
Jacksonville Transportation Authority is hiring, looking for 30 bus operators for a new 18.5-mile First Coast Flyer Bus Rapid Transit route, running between downtown and the beaches. Service begins in November.
“We are excited to continue to grow our team of skilled operators,” JTA VP of Transit Operations Lisa Darnall said in a statement to the Jacksonville Business Journal. “With the ongoing expansion of our routes, our goal is to onboard 30 additional operators by November of this year.”
Driver pay starts at $12.50 an hour during the first seven weeks of training, rising to $14 an hour. Drivers will be eligible for health benefits, a pension plan, paid vacation and additional incentive pay. Interested candidates must be 21-years-old or older, have a high school diploma or equivalent diploma, a Florida CDL license class A or B and no more than three traffic violations in the last five years.
Vestcor Bridges Run for Charity
The Vestcor Family Foundation holds its 23rd Annual Charity Run on Saturday — the 5K begins 7 p.m. Last year, the Vestcor Bridges Run attracted 1,000 runners and spectators and raised a total of $35,000 for local nonprofit organizations. After the race this year, runners can enjoy free food and beer, live music, raffle prizes and finisher medals.
Registration will be open on race day and can found online here.
Race participants will start and finish on Water Street in front of the Prime Osborn Center by the new Lofts at LaVilla. Lofts at LaVilla is Vestcor’s third community in downtown Jacksonville with two other communities coming through fall 2019. Runners will pass by The Carling and 11 East and continue over the Acosta and Main Street bridges before reaching the finish line. Registration will be open on race day and can be found online here.
The run is part of the Vestcor’s continued support of Jacksonville’s downtown and its recent growth. Funds raised will benefit local educational and children-focused nonprofit organizations. Previous charities benefitted from the run include American Heart Association, Give Kids a Chance, Monique Burr Foundation for Children, Tiger Academy and UF Health Jacksonville.
Tony Romo picks Jags, Packers in Super Bowl
Last Sunday, Jaguars’ quarterback Blake Bortles was on the golf course with future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers. If former Cowboys’ quarterback and current Fox NFL commentator Tony Romo is correct, they will be together competing again for a championship.
They were participating in the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship in Lake Tahoe, an event won by Romo. Earlier in the week, Romo was asked for his prediction on who will be playing in the Super Bowl in February.
“Thing about the NFL is things change pretty fast. Injuries happen, a lot of stuff happens, but, um … if I was picking right now, I’d probably go with Green Bay versus Jacksonville,” Romo told NFL.com. “That would be a tentative, rough guess here in the summer months.”
When he learned of Romo’s prognostication, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s response was a simple “We will see, Tony, we will see.”
The Jaguars will see soon enough if they are a contender. The Patriots will be in town for the Jaguars’ home opener on Sept. 16.
How did Rodgers and Bortles do in the golf course? Bortles hopes that if the two meet in the Super Bowl, he will have a better showing throwing a football than hitting a golf ball.
Rodgers finished in a tie for 18th, while Bortles limped in with a 76th place finish, just ahead of Larry the Cable Guy. Despite finishing near the bottom, Bortles did achieve his primary goal.
“I usually just set one every year,” he said. “I’ll beat Charles Barkley.”
Mission accomplished. Barkley, the former NBA star, finished last.
