Florida GOP outraises Democrats in 4th quarter

The Republican Party of Florida raised about $5.24 million from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, more than three times the amount raised by the Florida Democratic Party, new finance reports show. The GOP brought in $5,242,485 in cash, while spending $1,764,498 during the quarter. The Democratic Party, meanwhile, raised $1,566,258, while spending $741,189.

Contributions to the state GOP included $200,000 from Florida Power & Light; $200,000 from Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc.; $175,000 from Dosal Tobacco Corp.; $150,000 from a Florida Medical Association PAC; $130,000 from a Realtors PAC; $125,000 from The Geo Group, Inc.; $125,000 from the law firm Searcy, Denney, Scarola, Barnhart & Shipley; and $100,000 from United Group Underwriters, Inc., according to the reports filed with the state Division of Elections. The largest contribution to the Democratic Party was $150,000 from the Forward Florida PAC, which is chaired by 2018 Democratic gubernatorial nominee Andrew Gillum.