Randy DeFoor retains cash lead over Sunny Gettinger in Jacksonville City Council race

Randy DeFoor filed for her candidacy two years ago, with insider backing. Now she is endorsing a successor.

In the race to succeed Republican Jim Love on the Jacksonville City Council, Love’s fellow Republican Randy DeFoor retained her cash on hand lead after August receipts.

But in what could be a preview of a runoff election, Democrat Sunny Gettinger is keeping pace.

As of the end of August, DeFoor had roughly $145,000 on hand between her campaign account and her Safe and Prosperous Jacksonville political committee.

The committee brought in $5,000 from real estate interests in August; another $3,250 of hard money came in, with the most interesting donor being former state Sen Mattox Hair.

DeFoor is the only serious fundraiser of the three Republicans in the field. Henry Mooneyhan has raised just over $12,000; Earl Testy raised $164.

Gettinger, meanwhile, raised $5,320 in August, with big-name donors including W.C. Gentry and Walt Bussells.

August was her weakest month of fundraising. However, she’s up to $94,000 on hand.

The other Democrat in the race, Jimmy Peluso, had just over $33,000 on hand (including July receipts). August fundraising was not available at this writing.