Florida CD 7 GOP Race: Duke Leads in Money Raised, Mill Leads in the Polls

U.S. Navy Seal Brady Duke has once again topped the field of Republican congressional candidates in money raised in the District 7 primary race.

Duke reported $2,582,830.80 with $520,377.95 cash on hand.

The overwhelming majority of Duke’s cash comes from a national mail program. The use of mail programs is common practice every election cycle but they come at a steep cost.

Combat Veteran Cory Mills, who is leading the field of candidates in the most recent public opinion polls, raised $1 million less than Duke, posting $1,571,754.52. Mills has loaned his campaign about $1,300,000 and only has $257,888.47 cash on hand.

State Rep. Anthony Sabatini, who was considered the frontrunner in the race a few months ago, reported $1,067,144.47 and only has $331,653.62 in the bank.

Businessman Scott Sturgill is shown to have raised $200,962.66 with $157,446.87 cash on hand.

Former DeBary Vice Mayor Erika Benfield raised $187,133.04 with $91,797.87 available. Benfield has loaned her campaign $65,100.

Robert “Rusty” Roberts raised $305,968.24 and has $236,359.24 in the bank. Roberts loaned his campaign $100,000

Former U.S. Army Officer Al Santos has reported $271,067.06 since filing to run in the race a couple of months back. Santos has $216,368.75 in the bank and has loaned his campaign $159,184.45.

With the three Democratic congressional candidates in their respective Democratic primary race having raised less than $20,000, combined, the winner of the Republican congressional race will all but be assured to be the next member of Congress.

A recent poll conducted by the Pollster Rich Tysen for the Republican Party of Florida, shows Mills leading Sabatini by 2 percentage points and leading Duke by 15 percentage points.

Here are the results of the poll of 400 likely Republican voters in this congressional district.

Another poll conducted by a leading GOP pollster in Florida has Mills leading Sabatini by close to 10 percentage points.

All of the candidates qualified to participate in the July 23 debate at the Sunshine Summit in Hollywood, Florida.

On August 10, The Floridian and the Seminole Republican Women’s, Federated club will be holding a live debate with all of the candidates. Everyone has confirmed attendance.