Get your checkbooks ready, PAC chairs and Tallahassee uber-lobbyists, there are a handful of fundraisers for legislative candidates planned for this week, the latest committee week in advance of the legislative session.
Legislators are prohibited from raising money during session, so the weeks leading up to the gaveling in of the annual lawmaking period are packed with fundraising receptions, many held just a few hundred feet from the Capitol.
Because of recent changes to the state’s campaign finance laws, legislators are now able to collect checks up to $1,000 per election cycle.
On Monday, Republican State House Speaker Designate Steve Crisafulli is featured in a re-election fundraiser beginning at 5 p.m. at the Governor’s Club – Plantation Room. RSVPs are through Trey McCarley at (850) 933-5289 or at [email protected].
On Tuesday, Crisafulli is hosting a reception for Rep. Erik Fresen in his re-election effort for House District 114, which covers much of Miami-Dade County. The event begins at 5 p.m. at the Governor’s Club – North Balcony. RSVPs are through Amanda Penton at (651) 503-4321 or at [email protected].
The Florida Retail Federation will be holding a joint fundraiser for GOP hopefuls Chris Latvala for House District 67 and Chris Sprowls for House District 65. The event will be at 5 p.m. at the FRF offices at 227 South Adams Street.
Later that afternoon, Crisafulli, Reps. Richard Corcoran, Jose Oliva, Doug Holder, Eddy Gonzalez, and Jake Raburn will host a reception for Rep. Jason Brodeur for his re-election to House District 28 covering east Seminole County. The fundraiser will begin 5:30 p.m. at the Florida Health Care Association, 307 West Park Avenue, Tallahassee. RSVPs are through (850) 224-3907.
Also at 5:30 p.m., is a reception for State Sen. Maria Sachs for her Senate District 34 re-election efforts, held at Clyde and Costello’s.
Expect a good turnout Wednesday afternoon in the Capital Room of the Governor’s Club since much of the state GOP leadership will be there for a fundraiser benefiting Rep. Matt Caldwell. The event will include Senate President Don Gaetz, President Pro Temp Garrett Richter, House Speaker Will Weatherford, and Speaker Designate Crisafulli. Caldwell’s event begins at 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Rep. Kathleen Peters will be celebrated at a reception beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the Board Room of the Governor’s Club. Peters is running for re-election to House District 69.
Also at 4:30 p.m., Majority Whip Dana Young, Chairs Jason Brodeur, Jeanette Nunez and Reps. Travis Cummings and MaryLynn Magar will be featured at a fundraising reception, also at the Capital Room of the Governor’s Club.
At 5:30, a reception honoring former Rep. Brad Drake will be at the BC Room of the Governor’s Club. Drake is seeking to return to represent House District 5, which covers Holmes, Jackson, Walton and Washington Counties and parts of Bay County.
A little later, there will be a GOP fundraising reception for Protecting Leadership Principles, the political committee for former Rep. Eddy Gonzalez in his bid for Hialeah City Council. The event will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday ay Clyde and Costello’s.
As for the Democrats, the Florida Realtors Association will hold a reception for House Reps. Ricardo Rangel (House District 43) and Victor Torres (House District 48), hosted by Democratic Party Chair Allison Tant and Reps. Perry Thurston and Mark Pafford. FRA offices are at 200 South Monroe St. RSVP through House Victory Deputy Finance Director Yani Andre at [email protected] or (850) 224-0888.
Thurston, Pafford and Rep. Janet Cruz will host the House Victory Welcome Back Reception beginning 5:30 p.m. at the Second Floor Plantation Room of the Governor’s Club. RSVP for that event also through Andre at [email protected] or (850) 224-0888.
Tant, Thurston and Pafford are also hosting a House District 113 re-election fundraiser for Rep. David Richardson beginning 6 p.m. Wednesday at his Tallahassee condominium, 121 N. Monroe St., Apt. #9003. For information or RSVPs, call Stefanie Epstein at (305) 674-7626 or email [email protected].
