Jacob Ogles
Candidates on both sides of a Senate District 25 contest raised thousands for the open seat during the first quarter of 2024.
Rep. Kristin Arrington, a Kissimmee Democrat, is battling with Carmen Torres, wife of outgoing Sen. Vic Torres, for the Democratic nomination. Arrington has now raised more than $133,000, while Torres has added nearly $86,000.
Arrington also spent more, and closed March with $75,260 in cash on hand, a little closer in line with Torres’ $67,318.
The Representative collected nearly $9,100 during the first three months of 2024. That covered the Legislative Session, when lawmakers faced a fundraising prohibition. Her fundraising includes $1,000 donations from the Florida Bankers Association, ChiroPAC PC, government relations firm the Capital Alliance Group and consultant Michael Corcoran.
Torres collected nearly $11,000 in the first quarter. That included maximum $1,000 checks from labor groups including the International Longshoreman Association and 32BJ United, as well as from the transportation builders group FTBA Transportation PAC.
Arrington also controls the political committee Friends of Arringtons, which collected another $11,000 the first quarter of the year.
But there’s also money flowing on the Republican side in this Democrat-held seat.
Osceola County School Board member Jon Arguello raised $12,175, despite a history of controversy he actually brags about in emails. “I could have traded my integrity for ambition a long time ago, but I’d rather lose my race than offend the oath I took on my family Bible,” he wrote in an email, one which also insults the Republican Party of Florida for picking sides in a House District 35 Primary last year.
The Osceola County School District has found Arguello guilty of violations multiple times, including for harassing community members.
He received $1,000 donations from groups like LaunchEd, Red Apple Services and Red Apple Development. Arguello faces Jose Augusto Martinez for the GOP nomination. Martinez raised more than $9,400 in the first quarter.
But thanks to a $150,000 candidate loan, Martinez still has $154,014 in cash on hand.
By comparison, Arguello has raised a total of nearly $50,000, but has less than $29,000 in cash on hand.
16 comments
Steve Masters
April 19, 2024 at 3:25 pm
I could never vote for the lying two faced political hack, Arguello. Anyone who wants a functional and effective representative of the people in any chamber of government would give him a pass also.
Jon Arguello
April 19, 2024 at 11:02 pm
Are you a constituent?
Chris
April 19, 2024 at 11:12 pm
Jon Arguello has been the only voice on the school board fighting for conservative republicans for the past 3.5 years. He’s proven that nothing or no one can compromise his values and he will fight for what’s right. Jon Arguello is the ONLY choice for Republicans and Conservatives. You don’t have to like his approach, just like many don’t like President Trump’s approach. But results matter more than mean tweets.
rick whitaker
April 20, 2024 at 3:23 pm
chris, just what is the good results from trump you mentioned. the tax cut to wealthy corporations is the only thing i can think of that a person like you would think is good. the results of trump are horrendous, so how can you say you like that about him. says a lot about you.
Jon Arguello
April 19, 2024 at 11:20 pm
Jacob I don’t brag about the controversy I’m involved in. I’m just honest about them. I know that’s not common amongst politicians, but I don’t fear the truth like my opponents do.
rick whitaker
April 20, 2024 at 3:28 pm
JON, a republican talking about truth, come on, we are not that stupid anymore. trump has opened a lot of eyes as to the integrity of the GOP. nobody thuststyhe maga world to tell the truth.
Cindy Trautz
April 20, 2024 at 12:09 pm
The inevitable and expected sleight of hand hit piece. Shall we discuss the dirty politics of the Democrat for whom you clearly are carrying water? Just remember— those who throw it must be willing to take it. I just have to wonder aloud, an honest question— what do you gain from being a partisan hack? Hmmm? Inquiring minds want to know the motivation. I tell you, many people are sick of being fed the pablum of faux perfection by dishonest people who play “sling low, sling dirty” politics. I am far more impressed by one who doesn’t run from flaws— which we ALL have- to do the right thing when it counts.
rick whitaker
April 20, 2024 at 11:06 pm
CINDY, just what are you saying?
Cindy
April 20, 2024 at 11:27 pm
It’s over your head. Troll elsewhere.
rick whitaker
April 21, 2024 at 12:03 am
cindy, you know what they say about people that ask questions don’t you? they are just interested people asking a question, nothing more. i thought you were a nice christian, sorry to bother you.
cindy
April 21, 2024 at 12:29 am
Yeah, sure– your posts to others betrayed you, troll.
rick whitaker
April 21, 2024 at 2:25 pm
CINDY, how christian of you..
Cindy
April 21, 2024 at 5:19 pm
Nice try. No cigar. Your hurling baloney like this speaks more about you— as do the insults you hurl. I believe you secularists refer to that as hypocrisy.
rick whitaker
April 21, 2024 at 8:33 pm
CINDY, no i see it different than you. what i have seen quite often, i will be discussing topics with someone that thinks they are liberal, open-minded, or whatever they perceive as being a tolerant, BUT wnen i tell them i think christianity is a 2000 year old pack of lies, they aren’t so tolerant. after that they start calling me uneducated, insulting, and angry. i see that as a product of being a christian. knowing that you are right, and guys like me are wrong. it must be nice knowing the unknowable. i believe you non-secularists are bat crazy. one of us is wrong and i know it’s you. you can ” take it on faith ” all you want, that in itself is crazy.
Cindy
April 21, 2024 at 8:39 pm
I would like to say I am willing to invest more time in you, but sadly, I am not willing to do so. Live in your bubble and have a great life.
rick whitaker
April 21, 2024 at 8:55 pm
CINDY, christians try to prove their jesus cult worship to me by pointing to the bible. how silly is that. christians are living in a bubble because they shut out non christians. me, now i’m always open to new things that are based on fact, not christian fiction. i am just more openminded than you. it is impossible by definition for a person that believes only one ancient lie and is closed to everything else. now, that, i call a silo. christians are handicapped because they start out in life believing a pack of lies. i don’t need a crazy fairy tale believing christian telling me to have a great life. my life is great because i am not held back by believing in the bible. something you know nothing of. freedom of thought is great. try it.