Beth Connor edges past Deborah Figgs-Sanders in fundraising

Beth Connor Head Shot
But Figgs-Sanders has more cash on hand.

St. Petersburg City Council candidate Beth Connor has taken the lead in fundraising, the latest campaign finance reports show.

Connor raised $2,000 during the latest fundraising period from July 20-26 bringing her total campaign haul to just shy of $19,000.

Deborah Figgs-Sanders, who had been leading the fundraising charge since jumping into the race, raised just $922 during the latest reporting period, bringing her total to $18,245.

Figgs-Sanders has more cash on hand though. She’s got about $12,000 left compared to Connor’s $4,000.

Connor’s razor-thin edge is thanks to a $1,000 personal loan to her campaign that put her over the top in funding. 

The two candidates are in a competitive five-way race for Steve Kornell’s District 5 seat representing south St. Pete in neighborhoods like Greater Pinellas Point, the Skyway Marina District and Lakewood Estates.

A third candidate, Trenia Cox, is also competitively raising funds. She’s raised more than $11,000 so far, but her momentum slowed during the most recent reporting period, raising just $100.

Figgs-Sanders and Connor both took in significant contributions. Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin contributed $150 to Figgs-Sanders and City Council member Charlie Gerdes donated $250 to Connor. 

Connor and Cox were the most aggressive with spending in the latest reports. Connor spent about $4,500 on campaign mailers from Street Smartz Consulting in Jacksonville. Cox spent $4,300 including $1,500 on mail and $2,700 to Golden Jaguar Consulting, a firm affiliated with Rep. Chris Latvala

Figgs-Sanders spent just $133 during the most recent fundraising period.

Two other candidates in the race have been less active. Anne Hirsch, a candidate running under the Uhuru banner, raised $624 for a total of $4,400. Of that, she’s spent $3,800.

Philip Garret hasn’t raised any funds and didn’t file a campaign finance report.

District 5 is one of four on the ballot this year. Kornell’s seat is open because he’s leaving office due to term limits. 

Janelle Irwin Taylor

Janelle Irwin Taylor has been a professional journalist covering local news and politics in Tampa Bay since 2003. Most recently, Janelle reported for the Tampa Bay Business Journal. She formerly served as senior reporter for WMNF News. Janelle has a lust for politics and policy. When she’s not bringing you the day’s news, you might find Janelle enjoying nature with her husband, children and two dogs. You can reach Janelle at [email protected].


One comment

  • Bob Schultz

    August 8, 2019 at 8:18 pm

    Beth Conner “LOANS $1,000.00 ” to her campaign just so you fools can give her a headline. Sorry, Beth, get the support of the people, not your bank account.

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