Democrat Mike Suarez maintained a commanding financial advantage in the crowded House District 64 race during the latest campaign finance reporting period, while Republican Dan Weldon used a five-figure haul to quickly move ahead of his Primary opponent.
The filings reinforce Suarez’s substantial advantage in the Democratic Primary and the race to succeed term-limited Republican Rep. Susan Valdés, who currently represents HD 64. Valdés was re-elected to the seat two years ago as a Democrat, but shortly after switched her party affiliation to Republican.
Suarez, a former Tampa City Council Member, has raised more than $114,000 in monetary contributions across his campaign and affiliated political committee since entering the race, more than twice the approximately $44,500 raised by fellow Democrat Luis Salazar. Democrat John Rodriguez has received only $200 from outside contributors and relied primarily on nearly $3,000 in candidate loans.
During the June 13-26 fundraising window, Suarez raised nearly $17,000 across his campaign and the Embrace Florida’s Future political committee, widening the gap. Salazar raised more than $2,500, while Rodriguez reported no financial activity.
The Suarez campaign received $1,000 each from Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 1, the Hillsborough Fire Action Committee and Associated Industries of Florida. Embrace Florida’s Future received $10,000 from FAIAPAC, and $2,000 from Blue Sky Communities.
Suarez enters the final month before the Primary with nearly $56,000 available across his campaign and affiliated committee.
Salazar, a Tampa community advocate and political organizer, raised nearly $3,000 during the latest period, including $1,000 each from Michael Vogelbaum and Local Union 915 PAC. He has just under $4,000 available.
Rodriguez, former St. Petersburg Government Affairs Director and longtime legislative aide, filed a waiver reporting no activity during the latest period. Overall, his campaign has received $200 in monetary contributions and nearly $3,000 in candidate loans. After spending about $2,500, he had less than $500 remaining.
On the Republican side, Weldon, a litigator and former prosecutor, raised more than $10,500 from June 13 through June 26 and loaned $2,000 to his campaign. That gave him just under $11,000 available, compared with roughly $1,000 remaining in opponent Angel Ramos‘ campaign account.
Weldon’s fundraising immediately established a financial advantage over Ramos, although nearly all of it came from 10 political committees that each contributed $1,000 on June 25 and listed the same 527 E. Park Ave. address in Tallahassee. Together, those contributions supplied $10,000 of Weldon’s nearly $11,000 haul.
The committees were South Florida Solutions, Florida Right Direction, Clay Conservatives, Florida Opinion Leaders, Honest Leadership, Flagler Forever, Central Florida Solutions, Safer Florida, Florida Influence and First Coast Sunlight — all of which share Noreen Fenner as Treasurer. Fenner also handles financial operations for the Florida House Republican Campaign Committee and serves as treasurer for numerous conservative candidates and political committees.
Ramos, a Software Developer, raised $325 during the latest period, bringing his overall fundraising total to just under $6,500. He has spent about $5,500, leaving roughly $1,000 available.
The Democratic and Republican Primaries are set for Aug. 18, with each party’s nominee advancing to the Nov. 3 General Election.
