For a few months now, St. Petersburg businessman Justin Bean has led the eight person field in fundraising in the District 6 City Council race, but a relatively lean recent fundraising report has Robert Blackmon and Gina Driscoll nipping at his heels.
Bean raised a relative modest $685 for the period of July 8-21, which still allows him to continue to lead in fundraising with $21,418.
However, Blackmon is just $77 shy of that figure after raising $3,177 in that period, with a robust 32 separate campaign contributions. He now is at $21,341.
Nobody raised more in that period than downtown neighborhood association head Gina Driscoll, who took in $4,835 during that period. Driscoll can thank Karl Nurse for helping with that. In addition to officially endorsing her, Nurse made a $1,000 contribution to her campaign, while the printing company he helms, Bay Tech Label, tossed in another $1,000 as well.
Uhuru backed candidate Eritha “Akile” Cainion had a strong fundraising period, raising $2,105, with nine of the 30 separate contributions coming from out of state. Uhuru chairman Omali Yeshitela contributed $250 to her cause, and deputy chair Ona Zene Yeshitela contributing another $500. Cainion has raised a total of $7,945.
James Scott raised $1,288 during the period, and has raised $5,928 to date.
Maria Scruggs took in $1,160, and has raised a total of $6,140.
Corey Givens Jr., raised $110 during the period, and has raised $11,006.
And Jim Jackson loaned his campaign $500 during the time period in question. He has raised a total of $9,165.