Janet Long maintains financial lead, Larry Ahern gets $10K boost from GOP in Pinellas Commission race

Pinellas County Commissioner Janet Long maintains a $60,546 lead over Republican Larry Ahern in available spending money despite her biggest spending period recorded in the most recent financial disclosure.

The two candidates, who are racing for the Commission’s District 1 seat, had nearly identical fundraising numbers this period, which spanned Sept. 26 through Oct. 2. The incumbent Democrat raised $11,100, and Ahern collected $11,375 — including a $10,000 donation from the Pinellas County Republican Party.

As far as spending, however, the two varied widely. Long reported her biggest expenditure period since the start of her campaign, dishing out $48,821, primarily on postage and mail services. Ahern, on the other hand, spent only $5.60 this period, following his big spend in the period prior, where he let go of $60,766.

Since the start of the race, Long has led Ahern in fundraising, reaching $177,965 in total contributions. Ahern has raised $96,540 total, including $6,500 in self-funding. Following this period’s spending, Long maintains the upper-hand with $85,560 cash on hand while Ahern maintains $25,014.

This period, Long had 34 contributors, primarily consisting of individuals and a handful of businesses and PACs. Long received $1,000 donations from Building a Better Florida PAC, American Investment Holdings and MHH Enterprises.

Ahern had seven donors this period, including four individuals and several businesses and committees, including Kelly Pools Inc. and Free Markets For Florida PAC.

Long, who has held the at-large District 1 seat since 2012, faces Republican challenger Ahern in the November General Election.