South Florida November fundraising: Vance Aloupis, Anthony Rodriguez stock up to fend off challengers

The month of November saw several South Florida incumbents continuing their efforts to beef up their bankroll to help hold off newfound challengers.

In House District 118, Republican Rep. Anthony Rodriguez pulled in more than $28,000 to his campaign during November. A Bolder Florida, a political committee supporting his reelection, added another $29,000.

Democratic candidate Ricky Junquera, the Vice Chair of Outreach for the Miami-Dade Democratic Party, joined the race in October.

He was able to add more than $14,000 that month as he started off that campaign. But in November, Junquera posted just over $1,000 in outside donations.

Rodriguez flipped the HD 118 seat red last November, ousting Democratic Rep. Robert Asencio. The district covers parts of Miami-Dade County including Tamiami and Kendall.

In House District 115, incumbent GOP Rep. Vance Aloupis stocked up more than $25,000 in November.

Like Rodriguez, Aloupis is also facing off against a Democratic opponent who filed in October. That candidate is Franccesca Cesti-Browne, the former chairperson for the Miami-Dade County Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board.

Cesti-Browne showed just over $5,000 raised in November. That follows an October where she pulled in more than $8,400.

Aloupis, however, already has more than $190,000 raised, with nearly $170,000 still banked. While he holds a large lead in fundraising thus far, Cesti-Browne did secure the support of Forward Florida earlier this month.

That organization is the political committee run by former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum.

Republican Rep. Chip LaMarca retook the monthly fundraising lead as he competes against Democratic candidate Linda Gonzalez in House District 93.

LaMarca raised just $3,000 in October as Gonzalez brought in more than $4,400 in outside money along with a $30,000 loan.

But in November, LaMarca raised more than $18,000, good for his third-highest fundraising month this cycle. That was more than enough to top Gonzalez, who pulled in just over $1,800, less than one-10th of LaMarca’s haul.

Over in House District 101, Marie Woodson led the fundraising contest in November.

Woodson, a former Miami-Dade County Public Administrator, had been the money leader for four straight months before West Park Vice Mayor Brian Johnson overtook her in October.

The two have battled for the money lead for months, dating back to Johnson’s entry into the race in April. But November saw Woodson collect more than $6,700.

That bested Johnson’s total of more than $1,700. Pembroke Park Mayor Ashira Mohammed was close behind, adding more than $1,600.

All three candidates are competing for the Democratic nomination.

Overall, Johnson has collected the most money, raising more than $76,000 and adding another $2,500 loan. Woodson has raised nearly $58,000, along with a $5,000 loan.

But Woodson has slightly more cash on hand. She maintains nearly $52,000 while Johnson has nearly $48,000.

Mohammed, meanwhile, has raised nearly $18,000 in total with more than $14,000 still on hand.

Johnson has, however, secured the endorsement of outgoing HD 101 Rep. Shevrin Jones. Jones is term-limited in 2020 and is seeking a Senate seat.

HD 101 covers portions of Broward County including West Park, Pembroke Park, and Hallandale Beach.

In House District 103, Republican candidate Nelson Rodriguez led the field with more than $7,300 raised in November.

Rodriguez, the Vice Mayor of Miami Lakes, is competing with lawyer Tom Fabricio for the Republican nomination. The winner will likely take on incumbent Democratic Rep. Cindy Polo.

Fabricio added just $5,100 during November. Polo placed second behind Rodriguez, pulling in nearly $5,900.

HD 103 covers parts of Miami Lakes and Doral in Miami-Dade County and also extends into Miramar in Broward County.

And in House District 104, Broward School Board Member Robin Bartleman continues to outraise her opponents, pulling in $4,300 during November.

Bartleman is competing with two other candidates for the Democratic nomination to succeed term-limited Rep. Richard Stark in 2020.

Morey Wright, Jr. reported just a single donation of $20.20, while Imtiaz Mohammad again raised nothing.

Former HD 104 candidate Oscar Ganem is the only Republican to file in the Democratic-leaning district. His fundraising reports were not available as of this posting.

HD 104 covers Weston and Southwest Ranches in Broward County.

Candidates and political committees faced a Tuesday deadline to report fundraising activity through Nov. 30.