Democratic Congressional Candidates Out-Raise GOP Incumbents in Q2

Democrats post strong fundraising numbers, entering final months in position to win 

Tallahassee, FL — Florida’s strong slate of Democratic Congressional challengers out-raised their Republican opponents and incumbents, according to FEC campaign finance reports due July 15th. Fundraising reports from April 1st to June 30th show that Democratic candidates in key races are earning the support of their community and Democrats are entering the final months of the campaign season in a strong position to win Congressional races across the state. 

“The toxic state of the GOP brand is hurting Republican congressional candidates, and Floridians are refusing to support Republican incumbents who have become part of the problem in Washington,” said Florida Democratic Party Executive Director Scott Arceneaux. “These numbers show that the Democratic message of protecting middle class families, economic fairness and our commitment to help businesses create jobs is resonating with Florida’s families. Our strong Democratic candidates are entering the final campaign months in excellent position, and will have the resources they need to win.”  

BY THE NUMBERS, DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGERS OUT-RAISE GOP OPPONENTS, INCUMBENTS: 

CD-9: Alan Grayson raised over $825,000 this quarter, compared to Republican front-runner John Quinones’s $156,557. Grayson finished the quarter with over $1.16 million cash on hand.

CD-10: Val Demings out-raised Rep. Dan Webster for the fourth straight quarter. Demings raised $292,000 to Webster’s $202,000. 

CD-13: Jessica Ehrlich out-raised Rep. Bill Young, raising $86,172 to Young’s $75,226.

CD-16: Keith Fitzgerald out-raised the NRCC’s chief fundraiser — embattled used car salesman Rep. Vern Buchanan — for the second quarter in row. Fitzgerald raised over $381,000 to Buchanan’s $335,000. In the first quarter of 2012, Fitzgerald out-raised Buchanan by nearly 25-percent. In recent weeks, both the Rothenberg Political Report and Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball have downgraded Buchanan’s chances to win this race. 

CD-26: Both Gloria Romero Roses and Joe Garcia out-raised David Rivera who, according to a recent Miami Herald article, was nearly arrested for “52 counts of theft, money laundering and racketeering.” Romero Roses and Garcia both raised approximately $250,000 to Rivera’s $92,700. 

PATRICK MURPHY SECOND HIGHEST FUNDRAISER OF ANY CHALLENGER NATIONWIDE:

CD-18: Patrick Murphy raised an “impressive” half million dollars, “the second-highest amount nationwide of Democratic congressional wannabes.” Murphy also announced yesterday that he will begin airing two new TV ads, “Playground” and “Builder.”

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