Steube has big fundraising edge in D-67 race

MANATEE — Greg Steube has a commanding fundraising lead among Republican candidates for the District 67 Florida House of Representatives seat.

Steube raised $27,140 in the most recent reporting period, April 1-July 16, bringing his total to $203,787.82 and surpassing the combined total of his two Republican rivals in the Aug. 24 primary, Robert McCann and Jeremiah Guccione.

McCann reported $11,645 raised in the most recent reporting period, bringing his total to $100,689.33, according to the Florida Division of Elections website.

Guccione reported raising $11,292, bringing his total to $73,053.29.

Steube, a Manatee native and attorney, has the most money in his war chest heading into the home stretch of the primary campaign. He has spent $66,882.70 of the $203,787.82 he has raised. Steube has also received $3,762.43 of in-kind contributions. Steube has not reported any loans during his campaign.

McCann, a River Club resident, emergency room physician and attorney, shows expenditures of $26,445.59 in the most recent reporting period, bringing his total expenditures to $103,262.84.

McCann shows a $25,000 loan from the first reporting period and $2,691.35 of in-kind contributions.

Guccione, who works in his family’s health-care business, reported expenditures of $35,417.20 in the most recent reporting period, bringing his total expenditures to $46,431.34.

In the most recent reporting period, Guccione also showed in-kind contributions of $750. In the first reporting period, Guccione reported a loan of $50,002.95.

The three Republicans are seeking to replace the term-limited Rep. Ron Reagan, R-Bradenton. During the past legislative session, Reagan served as speaker pro tempore of the House.

The eventual Republican nominee will face two opponents in the general election in November: Democrat Z.J. Hafeez and no-party candidate John Studebaker.

Hafeez, a Hillsborough attorney, reported contributions of $16,880 in the most recent reporting period, bringing his total to $67,519. He has spent $8,715.81. Hafeez shows a $10,000 loan from the first reporting period.

Studebaker has not reported any contributions. His campaign report shows a loan of $2,929.28. He has reported spending $1,475.63.

Here are summaries from other area legislative races:

n House District 68 — Republican Jim Boyd has raised more than $101,000 in contributions, and spent more than $51,700. He also has borrowed $12,500 and received more than $10,200 in in-kind contributions.

The only other candidate in the race, Dave “Watchdog” Miner, who is running with no party affiliation, has received $2,055 in contributions and spent $1,300. He has borrowed $1,500 and received more than $2,500 in in-kind contributions.

Incumbent Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, cannot run for re-election because of term limits.

n House District 55 — Democratic incumbent Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, has raised a total of $56,375 and spent more than $30,500.

Democratic challenger April Sheffield has raised almost $2,100 and spent almost $1,900.

Write-in candidate Joseph Graser has not reported any campaign financial activity.

n House District 69 — Incumbent Rep. Keith Fitzgerald, D-Sarasota, has raised more than $105,700 and spent more than $9,700.

Republican challenger Ray Pilon has raised more than $52,700, and spent more than $20,500.

Fitzgerald and Pilon will not face off at the polls until the Nov. 2 general election.