Jacob Ogles
Five weeks from the primary election, millionaire Casey Askar reports more cash on hand than all his GOP competitors combined.
Askar, a Naples Republican, reported more than $1.89 million in expenditures through the end of June, and still started July with more than $1.76 million in cash on hand. He’s one of nine Republicans running in Florida’s 19th Congressional District.
His campaign has collected nearly $3.66 million, with $3 million coming from a candidate loan — one which raised eyebrows thanks to a 0% APR and being tied to his interest in limited liability corporations. An FEC complaint was filed against Askar regarding the loan last month.
Regardless, Askar’s campaign has already spent a good chunk of the money. That’s all the more striking since he just jumped into the race in March.
The next best funded candidate in the race remains Dr. William Figlesthaler, who reported $709,435 in cash as of the end of the second quarter. Another generous self-funder, he’s put a $1.66 million loan into the race, the bulk of the $1.99 million he has raised thus far.
Through the end of June, Figlesthaler spent nearly $1.28 million on the race, reaching well beyond $326,420 in outside contributions. Like Askar, that money has largely gone into massive marketing efforts including TV buys in the district.
State Rep. Byron Donalds reported a significant second quarter haul, raising $440,800 for the campaign. That brings his total receipts to $778,963. He headed into July with $328,588 in cash on hand, and spending $450,375.
Florida House Republican Leader Dane Eagle goes into the final stretch of the primary with more cash on hand than Donalds, around $395,654. But he’s raised and spent less than Donalds. Eagle reported another $158,832 in donations for the second quarter, bringing his grand total to $711,327. He spent $315,674 before the end of June.
Fort Myers Mayor Randy Henderson was the only other candidate in the GOP field reporting more than six figures still in the bank, with about $100,888 available at the beginning of July. He raised another $93,777 in the second quarter, bringing his total fundraising to $233,555. He has spent $132,667 of that so far.
Rounding out the field, former Minnesota lawmaker Dan Severson enters the final stretch with about $34,304 cash on hand, after raising $137,124 and spending $102,820. The coffers include a $101,500 candidate loan.
Disabled activist Darren Aquino reported no cash on hand and has spent $40,833, more than the $35,780 he has raised. He has reported about $15,300 in loans to his campaign.
Ave Maria law grad Christy McLaughlin is still sitting on most of the $11,815 she has raised, having spent just $168.40 through the end of June.
Collier County Sheriff’s Deputy Dan Kowal has reported no financial activity with the FEC.
A recent St. Pete Polls survey commissioned by Florida Politics found Askar leading the nine-Republican field with 30% support, followed by Donalds at 26%, within the poll’s 4.3% margin of error. The poll pegged Figlesthaler in third with 16% and Eagle in fourth with 8%. Henderson came in fifth place with 5% support.
2 comments
Cathy K.
July 16, 2020 at 10:42 am
This is somewhat misleading. A DC special interest group is spending $2M to get Byron elected plus Byron’s federal PAC Trusted Conservatives has another $100K.
Brandon Allen
July 16, 2020 at 8:43 pm
He doesn’t have the integrity to even show up to any debate. This is extremely sad and he shouldn’t have this vehicle to place his name in light. Cowardly hiding his lack of intellect to the face of the community while showing us the depth of his wallet does nothing to help our district. In fact it’s a disgrace and the very thing we need to distance ourselves from.
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