With media attention focused on who enter the GOP race for U.S. Senate next year, the man who got into the contest first, Jacksonville Congressman Ron DeSantis, brought some attention back on his candidacy today by announcing that he had raised over $1 million in the second quarter of 2015, and now has over $2 million in cash on hand.
“I’m grateful for the support I have received in Florida and throughout the country,” DeSantis said in a statement. “The campaign raised a significant amount, and also laid the foundation to raise significant resources in the near future. I’m confident that we will have the resources we need to draw a clear contrast between my vision of limited government, economic prosperity and a strong defense with whoever emerges as the Democratic nominee and as the defender of continuing failed big government policies.”
Among the bold-faced names contributing to his campaign is former Florida Governor Bob Martinez, prominent St. Petersburg developer Brent Sembler and businessman Stanley Tate, perhaps best known for developing the Florida Prepaid College Program.
The 36-year-old DeSantis is a former U.S. Navy officer and Harvard Graduate who was first elected to Florida’s 6th Congressional District in 2012, and was re-elected last year. He’s been endorsed by conservative groups like the Club for Growth PAC, Senate Conservatives Fund and FreedomWorks PAC.
As mentioned above, the DeSantis campaign also shared an initial list of Florida financial supporters. Scrolling through them, there is a significant overlap with many of the major donors to Rick Scott’s 2014 gubernatorial campaign.
Ed Burr, Ponte Vedra Beach
Andy & Toni Crawford, Ponte Vedra Beach
Simon Falic, Bal Harbour
Jerome Falic, Bal Harbour
Nily Falic, Bal Harbour
Leon Falic, Bal Harbour
Bill Isaac, Sarasota
Lesa France Kennedy, Daytona Beach
Gale Lemerand, Daytona Beach
Dennis & Graci McGillicuddy, Sarasota
Nancy McGowan, Jacksonville
John Rangos, Boca Raton
Brent Sembler, St. Petersburg
Peter & Cathy Spano, Gulfstream
Bill & Lynda Steere, Bonita Springs
Stanley Tate, Miami
Duane Ottenstroer, St. Johns
Dale & Janet Westling, Ponte Vedra Beach
This list of Florida financial supporters are in addition to the following list initially announced by the campaign:
John W. Childs, Vero Beach
Jay Demetree, Jacksonville
Gay & Stanley Gaines, Palm Beach
Robert Grammig, Tampa
Joseph G. Fogg, III, Naples
Jim France, Daytona Beach
Lee Hanley, Palm Beach
Mori Hosseini, Daytona Beach
Elizabeth & John Kagan, Ft. Myers
Tom Kukk, Naples
The Honorable Bob Martinez, Tampa
Carlyn & Lothar Mayer, Boca Raton
Mac McGehee, Jacksonville
Ambassador John Rood, St. Johns
Ambassador Francis Rooney, Naples
Russ Thomas, Ponte Vedra Beach
