Fundraising efforts by Dwight Dudley and Frank Farkas in HD 68 a sign of an increasingly competitive race

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With Jeff Brandes looking to move to the State Senate, his former district is up for grabs. Newly drawn, District 68 includes an eastern portion of Pinellas County, encompassing Pinellas Park and northern parts of St. Petersburg.

Based on the most recent campaign finance reports, covering July 21 to August 9, the race for HD 68 is becoming increasingly competitive.

Democrat Dwight Dudley — who has no primary opponents — raised $8,215, bringing his overall total to $42,390. Among his contributors are Democratic stalwarts, such as labor unions and trial attorneys. Dudley has only spent $4,691, a sure sign of a disciplined campaign.

All but certain to face Dudley in November is former State Representative Frank Farkas, who really ramped up his fundraising during the last month. The St. Petersburg chiropractor added $23,850 to his treasury, bringing his overall total to $78,626. It’s likely Farkas is already near the six-figure mark in money raised.

Peter Schorsch is the President of Extensive Enterprises and is the publisher of some of Florida’s most influential new media websites, including SaintPetersBlog.com, FloridaPolitics.com, ContextFlorida.com, and Sunburn, the morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics. SaintPetersBlog has for three years running been ranked by the Washington Post as the best state-based blog in Florida. In addition to his publishing efforts, Peter is a political consultant to several of the state’s largest governmental affairs and public relations firms. Peter lives in St. Petersburg with his wife, Michelle, and their daughter, Ella.