A.G. Gancarski
Call it a New York State of Mind.
Arguably the most interesting thing about the July finance report of the Governor’s political committee (PC) is where certain donors come from.
Friends of Ron DeSantis, the first-term Republican’s state-level political committee, had a relatively modest haul in July.
From 26 contributions, $340,000 came in, less than half of the June take.
While the July haul was relatively ho-hum, a series of July 6 checks from New York City stood out, including a check from former U.S. Sen. Al D’Amato. D’Amato left the Senate in 1999, and has lobbied since.
The New York money was small, relatively speaking: a group of $2,000 checks.
The committee’s biggest donation in July was $125,000 from money manager/hedge funder Paul Jones of Palm Beach.
Jones was co-founder of the Everglades Foundation, which backed DeSantis as a candidate. They have extolled his administration’s moves on the environment since his inauguration.
Jacksonville donors came through, reliable contributors such as the Jacksonville Kennel Club and Vestcor, which gave $25,000 despite having a priority project vetoed by and called out by the Governor earlier this year.
The project was controversial within the Duval Delegation itself, and Gov. DeSantis went against the Mayor Lenny Curry machine — and “vetoed the $8 million earmark.”
However, Vestcor’s John Rood said he was unbothered, hopeful for next year — and he has $25,000 reasons for optimism after July.
DeSantis’ committee has $1,817,905 on hand.
Also, POLITICO Florida reported this morning that aside from two events totaling $5 million in fundraising, DeSantis will (like Gov. Rick Scott before him) handle his own fundraising operation separate of the party.
What’s clear: This committee will get more dynamic after November 2020.
