Deborah Figgs-Sanders has the most cash on hand, but Beth Connor continues fundraising surge

St. Petersburg City Council candidate Beth Connor continued her slight campaign finance surge, according to the latest campaign finance filings.

Connor grew her funding lead over Deborah Figgs-Sanders in the District 5 race to a little more than $2,000. Between July 27 and Aug. 2, Connor raised $1,675 compared to Figgs-Sanders’ $922.

Connor has now raised $20,560. Figgs-Sanders has raised $18,246.

However, Figgs-Sanders has double the cash on hand. Of Connor’s haul, she’s spent nearly $15,000, leaving her with a little less than $6,000. Figgs-Sanders has only spent $6,492, which leaves her with just shy of $12,000 in the bank.

Fundraising is only one indication of a campaign’s success, but leading the funding charge can be a way to show a campaign’s viability and draw in more campaign cash as well as help solicit endorsements. 

Figgs-Sanders has so far earned the most endorsements among the two candidates including from the National Organization of Women, the Pinellas Realtor Organization, Rep. Jennifer Webb, Pinellas County Commissioner Pat Gerard, Pinellas County School Board member Rene Flowers and St. Pete City Council members Amy Foster, Brandi Gabbard and Lisa Wheeler-Bowman, among others. 

Former St. Pete City Council members Karl Nurse and Jim Kennedy and the Pinellas Stonewall Democrats have endorsed Connor. 

Connor’s largest contribution in the latest fundraising period came from local activist Frank Lupo who donated $500. She also took in a $250 contribution from artist Duncan McClellan.

Figgs-Sanders’ largest contribution came from Carter G. Woodson African American History Museum Executive Director Terri Lipsey Scott who donated $200. St. Pete Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin donated $150. Tomalin also contributed the week prior.

Trenia Cox is also fundraising competitively in the race. She raised $1,200 in the latest fundraising period including a $250 contribution from the Pinellas County Council of PTA’s President Lawrence Clermont.

Cox has raised a total of $12,644.

Also running in the race is Uhuru-backed candidate Anne Hirsch. She raised $759 for a total of $5,142. Perennial candidate Philip Garrett is not raising funds. 

The candidates face off later this month in the Aug. 27 primary election. The top two vote-getters will advance to the Nov. 5 general election. 

The candidates are running to replace incumbent Steve Kornell who is leaving office due to term limits.

District 5 covers parts of south St. Pete including Greater Pinellas Point, the Skyway Marina District, Lakewood Estates and some neighborhoods around Lake Maggiore.