Ed Montanari opens his campaign war chest in latest campaign finance report

St. Petersburg City Council member Ed Montanari has raised more than any other candidate in all four districts on this year’s ballot.

Montanari has raised more than $68,000 as of July 26, the latest campaign finance reports show. That’s nearly seven times as much as his most competitive challenger. 

Montanari raised just $100 during the latest fundraising period from July 20-26 from a lone contribution from a Gulfport resident. But his spending was the most aggressive it’s been so far in the campaign.

He dropped $10,000 during the one-week period. Of that, he spent nearly $5,800 on signs from Arizona-based Campaign Graphics, $1,500 for social media and an ad buy from Tallahassee-based Supernova Digital Communications and $2,500 on consulting services from Election Management Solutions, a conservative shop that’s represented high profile Republicans like George W. Bush, Jeb Bush and Adam Putnam. 

Montanari has spent $32,000 to date, leaving him with about $36,000 in the bank.

Montanari represents District 3, which includes parts of northeast St. Pete.

He faces two challengers. Democrat Orlando Acosta raised $300 in the most recent fundraising period, bringing his total earnings to about $10,000. Of that, Acosta has spent $8,300 including $4,300 during the latest reporting period. 

Acosta received three $100 contributions from local residents. His spending this report was almost exclusively on voter communication from Street Smartz Consulting in Jacksonville.

The third candidate in the race, Zach Collins, is not actively raising funds. He contributed $100 of his own money again for a total self-funded campaign of $460. He’s spent almost all of that money on filing fees with the city and Facebook advertising.

Mail ballots have already gone out to voters who requested them for the primary election. Election day is Aug. 27.

The top two vote-getters will move on to the general election Nov. 5. Montanari’s race is one of three on the August ballot and of four on the November ballot. Districts 1, 5 and 7 area also up for election this year.