Thanks to an $11,000 loan from herself, City Council candidate Monica Abbott has now tripled the amount of money raised by her opponent for the District 1 seat covering West St. Pete.
Including her loan, Abbott has now raised $12,425 compared to just $4,150 raised by City Council chair Charlie Gerdes in his re-election bid.
Abbott also brought in a $250 contribution from City Council member-elect Ed Montanari. Abbott had previously donated to Montanari’s campaign.
The City Council hopeful also brought in small contributions of $25-$50 each from St. Pete residents Adam Stumm, Stephanie Fishette and Barbara McBride.
Abbott’s largest expense to date went to the Clearwater business Post Card Mania for campaign mailers. She spent $4,506.60 on the cards and another $471.42 on distribution. Other minor expenses included payments to the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections for data and to OBistro for a campaign meeting.
Gerdes brought in $2,225 during the latest reporting period. While that’s far less than his opponent, it represents contributions from supporters.
Gerdes spent only $12 this report and just $616.94 to date. That brings his cash-on-hand to about $3,500. Abbott has about $7,000 left in the bank.
Contributions for Gerdes rolled in from his mom, Annalise Gerdes, who contributed $1,000. Blue Sky Communities, an affordable housing developer, and TECO each contributed $500. The West Central Florida Federation of Labor gave Gerdes $125.
Gerdes and Abbott square off November 3 in the citywide general election.
