Jacob Ogles
U.S. Rep. Greg Steube reports significant financial backing from citrus and sugar industry leaders in his newest campaign reports.
As the Sarasota Republican looks toward reelection, he raised $105,075 during the second quarter of 2019.
That came after a solid first quarter. Steube now boasts about 167,019 in cash on hand.
While Florida’s 17th Congressional District remains safely Republican, Steube reported $10,000 from U.S. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s Majority Committee PAC.
Industry dollars, mostly from company’s with a strong presence in Steube’s largely agrarian district, invested heavily as well.
Big checks include maximum contributions of $2,800 from Florida Crystals co-founder Jose ‘Pepe’ Fanjul and from his children Jose, Jr. and Emilia Fanjul.
The Florida Citrus Mutual Political Committee also donated $2,800.
Plenty of local industry leaders within Steube’s district could also be found on his list of donors.
Thomas Blankenship, co-founder of Subsero Health in Sarasota, also made a maximum donation. So did Cool Today President Jaime DiDomenico.
Amscot Financial CEO Ian MacKechnie also heavily donated.
Steube picked up support from a number of corporate and political players from outside of Florida. Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise’s campaign dropped $2,000 into Steube’s coffers.
And PACs for Amazon and for Comcast respectively donated $2,500 and $1,000 to the pro-Trump Florida congressman. The American Intellectual Property Law Association also dropped $1,000 through its PAC.
Toyota, Walmart, Universal Music Group and Ernst & Young could also be found in his list of donors.
Democrat Allen Ellison raised no money in the quarter and paid about $851 in expenses. He took over the nomination following the untimely death of April Freeman last year. But while Ellison’s account remains open, he’s made no overtures toward another run for the seat.
No other candidate has opened a federal account, according to the Federal Election Commission, nor has anyone filed as a candidate for Congress with Florida’s Division of Election.
