Florida Senate leaders continue to funnel cash into political committees in advance of the fall election cycle.
“Florida Leadership Committee,” a group associated with Clearwater Republican Jack Latvala, chair of the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee and seeking election as Senate president in 2016, raised $64,700 between July 26 and Aug. 1, according to the most recent finance reports.
Florida Leadership received $25,000 from Jacksonville-based health insurance giant Florida Blue. Reports show the Latvala committee took in $1,381,471 in total as of Aug. 1, spending $275,486, the reports show.
At the same time, “Innovate Florida,” a committee chaired by Bradenton Republican Sen. Bill Galvano, another possible future Senate president, posted $40,500 raised from July 26 to Aug. 1. The committee raised a total of $1,050,479 through Aug. 1, spending $270,611.
“Treasure Coast Alliance,” a committee associated with Stuart Republican Sen. Joe Negron raised a total of $1,491,500 as of July 25, spending $906,104, according to state Division of Elections. Updated numbers are still pending as of Wednesday. Negron is Latvala’s competition for the Senate presidency after the 2016 elections.
