Gray, Hill Hold Fund Raising Edge In Tuesday’s Special Election

May 13, 2013

With a Republican primary looming Tuesday in the campaign to replace the late Rep. Clay Ford, two candidates built fund-raising leads — though money flowing from special interests and lobbyists appeared to be divided.

Former Gulf Breeze Mayor Ed Gray piled up nearly $100,000 for the special primary election in House District 2, collecting $94,975 in contributions and loaning the campaign another $5,000, according to totals posted on the state Division of Elections website after a Friday filing deadline.

Pensacola insurance agent Mike Hill, meanwhile, collected $68,610. Former Pensacola City Councilman Jack Nobles raised $26,040 and loaned his campaign $14,000, while Mark Taylor raised $8,305 and David Radcliffe loaned his campaign $1,313.

A report for the sixth Republican candidate, Scott Miller, had not been filed as of early Monday afternoon, a Division of Elections spokesman said.

The only Democrat in the race, Jeremy Lau, raised $3,671 by Friday and loaned the campaign $500. Lau will face the Republican primary winner in the general election June 11.

The candidates needed to quickly gear up campaigns after Ford, R-Gulf Breeze, died of cancer in March. House District 2 includes parts of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties and has been a Republican stronghold in races such as Rick Scott’s successful 2010 gubernatorial campaign.

The reports posted online reflect contributions to the candidates and do not detail spending by outside groups to influence the campaign. While much of the money contributed to candidates has come from the Panhandle, the reports also indicate that statewide interest groups and lobbyists have scattered money among three of the Republicans.

Gray, for example, has received contributions from groups and companies such as car dealers, utility contractors, beer wholesalers and ophthalmologists, according to the online records.

Hill has received heavy backing from insurance-related groups, along with getting money from organizations such as the National Federation of Independent Business. Nobles, meanwhile, has received support from physician groups, including the Florida Medical Association.

Some groups, such as the Florida Hospital Association and the Florida Bankers Association, have given to more than one candidate.

By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive