Jacob Ogles
Republican candidate Spencer Roach in September has significantly outraised Democratic opponent Mark Lipton in the open race to represent Florida House District 79. But the Democrat still holds an advantage as far as cash on hand.
Roach pulled in $10,665 in the last two-week filing period, while Lipton raised just $880 in that time. Still, Lipton to date has $47,666 in cash on hand, while Roach holds $42,776.
The two North Fort Myers attorneys compete this November in Florida House District 79, an open seat vacated by Agriculture Commissioner candidate Matt Caldwell
That’s mostly because Roach, a former JAG officer, faced a primary opponent in Air Force veteran Matthew Shaun Miller, who he defeated in the Aug. 28 Republican primary.
Roach enjoys Caldwell’s endorsement and the support of U.S. Rep. Francis Rooney.
Lipton, meanwhile, boasts some of the strongest party credentials one can find in the district. He chaired the Bay County Democratic Party for two years and attended the 2016 Democratic National Convention as a delegate.
Lipton last week announced plans to get a campaign video broadcasting on area television stations.
Roach, for his part, has promised to run a clean, grassroots campaign in the district and says he won’t take anything for granted in the right-leaning district, especially in the current political climate—not to mention he’s running in a district devastated by blue-green algae.
Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump won in this district with 56 percent of the vote to Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton’s 40 percent.
In the same election, Caldwell took 51 percent of the vote to win re-election over Democrat John Scott, who took just 38 percent. Miller in that election ran with no party affiliation and took about 11 percent of the vote.
