Jacob Ogles
Fort Myers lawyer Jenna Persons further built up a substantial war chest in her race for the state House.
Another $16,345 in contributions landed in her campaign account, bringing her grand total to $150,280. Much of that came during a second fundraiser for the Fort Myers Republican.
She remains the top fundraiser in the House District 78 contest with a greater than 20-to-1 advantage in contributions.
Meanwhile, primary opponent Roger Lolly posted no activity for the month of June and sits on $6,375 worth of contributions.
Democrat Shawn Michael Williams pulled in another $140 but still has less than $1,000 in his account. His campaign has been supported primarily through in-kind support provided through Williams’ accounting firm.
As for Persons, her contributions come chiefly from Southwest Florida business leaders.
Major donors in May include StormSmart founder Brian Rist, motorcycle dealer Scott Fischer Enterprises, mining company Youngquist Brothers chief financial officer Richard Friday, and real estate titan Gary Tasman.
She also collected money from the Florida Bar’s Real Property, Probate and Trust Law PAC and the Florida Podiatry Political Committee.
Plenty of Persons’ colleagues within the Fort Myers legal community also chipped in, including attorneys James Humphrey, Catherine Kahle and Mark Komray.
Persons is running to succeed state Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen, who cannot seek another term thanks to term limits.
She entered the race in February and immediately announced a $110,000 haul. She has held onto a significant fundraising edge since that point.
But Lolly, founder of the If I Can Dream Foundation, has long hinted at the ability to self-fund. Regardless, the primary election remains more than a year away.
Persons has a significant amount of fundraising experience, having chaired several political committees including Stay Informed SW Florida, Legacy PAC and Southwest Florida Conservatives for Justice. She also boasts the support of a number of political leaders in the region.
