So far, no other candidate for Pinellas County’s elected office has raised more money for their 2016 campaign than former state Rep. Jim Frishe. The 66 year-old Republican has raised approximately $20,065 since officially filing to run for the county’s Property Appraiser position back in April. That’s according to monthly campaign finance reports published by the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections.
“I’m always humbled by the support of everyday folks around Pinellas County,” Frishe told SaintPetersBlog.
Frishe received just under 60 checks in the four months since his campaign began. Eleven of those were for the maximum $1,000 contribution. They were given by Frishe’s wife Susan Burnett, a St. Pete based customer information system integrator company called Blue Heron Consulting, the Tampa-based Florida Leadership Committee PAC, St. Petersburg developer Mel Sembler, the Pinellas Park plumbing supplies company Hydrologic Distribution, the St. Pete Beach-based company Nicklaus of Florida, a construction professional from Largo named Joseph White, Joseph’s wife Jo Ann White, the St. Petersburg-based Foundation for Freedom PAC, and a veterinary group purchasing organization called Purchasing Services, Inc.
Frishe also received 11 donations for $500 each. Three of those came from three separate pool supply companies based out of Clearwater: Pinch a Penny, Sun Wholesale Supply, and The Cepcot Corporation.
A few other notable $500 donors: Resort Inns of America, Pinellas Park developer Brent Sembler, St. Petersburg property appraiser Frank Gregoire, St. Petersburg real estate broker Robert Churuti, Clearwater finance manager Abby Holt, and the St. Pete Beach investment company K-S Investment, Inc.
Another campaign donor worth mentioning is Gulfport City Council member Daniel Liedtke, who contributed $50 to the Frishe cause.
As far as spending goes, the majority of Frishe’s used funds have gone towards envelopes and printing — a little over $1,000 in total, presumably for mailers in support of the Frishe camp.
Frishe’s only competition for Pinellas County Property Appraiser thus far is Mike Twitty, a 25-year professional real estate appraiser and fellow Republican. To date, Twitty, who filed his paperwork earlier this month, does not yet have to report contributions.
Frishe, however, told SaintPetersBlog that his fundraising efforts are just beginning.
“I’m just getting started and looking forward to meeting a lot more people in Pinellas County in the coming months,” he said.
Pinellas County’s property appraiser gig currently pays around $154,000 per year. The state’s 2016 general election falls on Nov. 8.
