How Much Cash Does It Take To Win A Political Office In Escambia County?

August 23, 2010

Voters on Tuesday will indirectly answer the question: How much cash does it take to win a political office in Escambia County?

With some Escambia County races drawing hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions while other races had combined contributions of just a few thousand dollars, we are taking and in depth look at the financial interest in  Escambia politics.

Escambia Commission, District 2

Nearly a quarter million dollars was donated to the active candidates in the Escambia County Commission District 2 race. Dave Murzin — the state representative that dropped out of a Florida Senate race with about $40,000 in hand — accumulated a $113,052.79 bankroll. Practically all of it was spent by the end of last week. During the last month of campaigning he dropped $9,801 on direct mail, $3,779 on radio ads, and $21,254.25 on ads at WEAR TV 3. And Murzin also spent $1,950 on the campaign tactic everyone loves to hate at dinnertime — automated “robo calls” to the home phone numbers of voters.

Former County Administrator George Touart had the second highest bankroll in the District 2 race at $65,302 in cash, including an $11,737 in the final days of his campaign. His campaign expenditures in the final weeks included $7,300 for radio ads on a mix of stations and $870.59 in newspaper advertising at the Independent News.

Incumbent Gene Valentino raised $49,015 in his bid to retain his commission seat. He loaned his campaign $5,000 of his own money with less than a week to go before election day. His large final month expenditure was to the consulting company Marketing, Metrics and Media for the purchase of media airtime ($9,128), consulting ($1,000), printing mailers ($1,760), unspecified advertising ($3,840), signs ($250) and mailing ($2,490).

The fourth major candidate in the race, Karen Sindel, raised $18,435 in cash. Her expenditures over the final weeks of the campaign including a $962 in newspaper advertising, about $4,600 in direct mail related expenses and nearly $300 in balloons.

In the past month, candidate Myra Simmons raised just $50 of her $5,600 in cash contributions. She did not report spending any money since July 16. Independent Paul Redman contributed $100 to his own campaign, and he spent $55.50 on filing expenses.

Escambia Commission, District 4

The dollar figures were lower in the District 4 Escambia County Commission race. Incumbent Grover Robinson accepted $39,610,25 in cash, spending all but about $6,000 by last Thursday. His final month expenditures included $25,183.95 for a mix of newspaper, radio and direct mail advertising.

Challenger Danny Lewis raised $3,865 — including $3,400 of his own money. All but $90 of his campaign funds were raised by July 16. He spent $3,072 to qualify to be on the ballot, and he dropped $480 on WPNN-AM radio advertising.

Dennis Green raised $6,965 in his bid for the District 4 seat. His final month expenses included $2,175 in Independent News advertising, $730 in Pensacola News Journal advertising and $378 worth of yard signs.

Escambia School Board

Candidates for  for Escambia County School Board raised far less money than those running for commission.Incumbent Jeff Bergosh raised $10,096.26 in cash, while Hosea Pittman raised $4,677.05. For the District 2 seat, Gerald Boone raised $4,700 and Virginia White received $1,877 in cash. For the District 3 seat, Charlie Nichols had $8,100 in contributions, while incumbent Linda Moultrie received $2,100. Claudia Brown-Curry was in the District 3 race with $2,420, but she dropped out of the running back in July.

Emerald Coast Utilities Authority

ECUA District 2 Incumbent Lois Benson raised $17,066.60 while her three opponents — Stephen Burand, Dave Carlson and James Kirkland –  raised $2,630 combined. In the District 4 race, incumbent Dale Perkins raised $26,400 while four other opponents raised $4,252 combined.

Comments

3 Responses to “How Much Cash Does It Take To Win A Political Office In Escambia County?”

  1. lynn-a on August 23rd, 2010 5:42 pm

    Amendment 4 is all about the average Florida resident that is sick and tired of our State being over-developed and bad projects being voted on from the Dais. We want to have a say when a city commission changes a land-use for the benefit of their developer friends, their buddies on the local chamber of commerces and all those Realtors who have a hand in the pot. With politicians it is all about keeping the power…who ever heard of allowing residents to vote on how their city should look? Vote YES on Amendment 4 on November 2 and let’s take back our State from these greedy people who have done ev erything imaginable to ruin it. We pay the taxes. We deserve the right to vote on land use changes.

  2. Jill on August 23rd, 2010 11:49 am

    While you are looking at how much cash local candidates are spending to influence elections you should check out how much real estate speculators are spending to try and convince voters to reject Florida Hometown Democracy Amendment 4.
    Amendment 4 will give local residents the right to vote on land use changes that affect their property taxes and quality of life. Developers are spending millions to scare people into voting no and denying themselves the right to vote.
    Please inform yourselves about this very important state constitutional amendment.
    http://candidateblogs.orlandosentinel.com/vote-yes-on-amendment-4/2010/08/20/builders-who-wrecked-floridas-economy-oppose-amendment-4/

  3. horrific on August 23rd, 2010 8:00 am

    amazing…..lol

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News