A.G. Gancarski
Jacksonville City Council member Reggie Gaffney raised nearly $200,000 in his first month as a candidate for state Senate, an eye-popping amount sure to turn heads in Northeast Florida political circles.
Gaffney’s campaign reported contributions of $47,190, while his political committee reported $151,750 in donations.
“I think our fundraising numbers show that people respect the work I have done in this community,” he said. “Those that supported me know I will continue to work for my people. All I can say is thank you for your faith and trust.”
The Jacksonville Jaguars and Jacksonville Kennel Club were among the donors to the committee, along with three unnamed entries, including one using a PO box in Tallahassee (1563 Capital Circle SE, # 395) previously linked to Republican political committees.
Gaffney will likely draw from traditional GOP donors. How much support they show is worth watching.
Elected to Council in 2015 and reelected in 2019 — with more than two-thirds of the vote — Gaffney launched his Senate campaign in early July.
He is not expected to be the only serious candidate in the race: Rep. Tracie Davis, in her third term representing House District 13, is expected to run and will likely be the preferred choice among the Democratic establishment.
As for Gaffney, his increasing visibility in local media suggests the local power structure is coalescing behind him for the Primary. Davis, meanwhile, has battled COVID-19 and has been stymied in launching a campaign.
Another Democrat, political newcomer Brooklyn Owen, is in the Primary field but hasn’t reported any fundraising through months as a candidate. Republican Binod Kumar, a Republican, is also running.
Incumbent Sen. Audrey Gibson is termed out in 2022.
SD 6 encompasses much of central Duval County, and the party registration favors whichever Democrat nominee makes it to the General Election.
