Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has raised more than $11.3 million for his reelection campaign over the last six-and-a-half months.
Politico reported close to $6 million of that figure has been brought in since March 2.
The outlet pointed out the GOP governor has outraised the state’s Republican Party, which has brought in $3.65 million during the first three months of 2021. And Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, the lone statewide elected Democrat who is considered a likely challenger, has raised just over $154,000 since the beginning of March and a total of just over $450,000 since October.
"Gov. Ron DeSantis continues to get high marks for keeping Florida safe and open for business," Helen Aguirre-Ferre, executive director of the Republican Party of Florida told the Tampa Bay Times. "Florida has been getting a lot of attention because of the governor’s conservative and principled policies which are working — this in turn is driving support for Gov. DeSantis’ efforts in 2022."
The Times reported DeSantis, who is up for reelection in 2022, hasn’t officially filed to run yet. However, his political committee, Friends of Ron DeSantis, can raise money.
And it said that DeSantis has continued to boost his visibility in Florida and the U.S. He has traveled throughout the state opening new vaccination sites as he manages the public health crisis brought on by the pandemic.
He had halted contributions to his committee after the coronavirus outbreak hit Florida. As he publicly reopened the state for business in the latter part of 2020, he began accepting donations to his political committee again, the Times said
Politico reported that both DeSantis and Fried are now raising money for their political committees — which can take in financial donations of any amount.
DeSantis has received financial backing from well-known GOP donors including Bernard Marcus, the former CEO of Home Depot who was a significant donor for former President Donald Trump. Marcus contributed $250,000 in March for DeSantis’ reelection bid.
DeSantis’ committee also brought in three checks totaling $425,000 from three political committees run by well-known Republican pollster Ryan Tyson. The committees are backed by major Florida corporations such as health insurer Florida Blue, Disney, and U.S. Sugar, and are affiliated with Associated Industries of Florida, a business group, according to Politico.
Much of Fried’s contributions have come in small-dollar sums, Politico said. However, the outlet did note that she received $40,000 from two committees connected to a South Florida law firm.
"While the governor is focused on filling his campaign coffers with massive, six-figure contributions from rich donors and vaccine auctions, Commissioner Fried is dedicated to serving Floridians and doing her job to support farmers, protect consumers, and fight for families," said Fried spokesperson Max Flugrath.
Jeffrey Rodack ✉
Jeffrey Rodack, who has nearly a half century in news as a senior editor and city editor for national and local publications, has covered politics for Newsmax for nearly seven years.
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