Jacob Ogles
Gov. Ron DeSantis raised nearly $3.7 million in March, money that presumably will support a campaign for President.
Friends of Ron DeSantis, a political committee that supported the Republican through two successful bids for Governor, now sits on nearly $86 million in cash on hand.
That’s after reporting an additional $3,679,137 in new contributions over the month of March.
About $3.5 million of that came from four sources.
James Whitley, the founder of Georgia-based Landmark Properties, donated $1.5 million to the committee on March 9. That was by far the largest donation to the campaign during the month.
Texas-based Rural Route 3 Holdings donated another $1 million to the campaign.
Dr. Clive Fields, co-founder of Village MD in Texas, donated $500,000. Spring Bay Capital, based in DeSantis’ former home community of Ponte Vedra Beach, also donated half a million.
The committee has so much cash, it also reported more than $45,000 in interest alone.
Beyond that, PGT Industries in Nokomis donated $30,000 to the campaign, and Oregon-based DEP gave $20,000.
Of note, the political committee can only technically be used to support Florida campaigns as it is organized today. But when state officials have run for federal office in the past, such Florida political committees typically are converted into super PACs.
Unlike with a state committee, DeSantis could not coordinate any political efforts with a super PAC. But such an organization could independently support DeSantis’ candidacy or oppose that of any political rivals.
Until then, the committee seems intent on keeping the Republican Party of Florida financially healthy. The committee distributed more than $80,000 to the state party for transportation, fundraising, consulting and software.
A check for $37,600 was sent to Ascent Media for media production costs.
Nearly $11,900 went toward legal fees with Washington law firm Dickinson Wright, while Orlando law firm Shutts & Bowen received more than $11,600.
Nearly that much was also spent on an event in Tampa through DCE Productions. The campaign also spent less than $1,900 on printing with Target Print & Mail.
