Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh leads the way in campaign contributions with more than $57,000
MANATEE -- For the second straight campaign finance reporting period, Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh leads in campaign contributions for the 2016 election.
Baugh, running for re-election to the District 5 seat, has received $57,375 to date. Baugh received $15,375 of the contributions during the last reporting period, which ended Sept. 30.
"I'm sitting right now with a little more than $57,000 in the bank," Baugh told constituents Wednesday at a District 5 Advisory Council meeting. "I'm very blessed."
District 5 covers Lakewood Ranch and Myakka City.
When asked by a constituent the ideal amount of money to run her re-election campaign, Baugh said close to $80,000. In the 2012 election, Baugh received $75,519 and spent $81,530.
"If I don't need the money and don't spend it, I'm giving it back to you," Baugh said.
Retirees, a Lakewood Ranch Community Development District supervisor, construction companies and real estate companies are among Baugh's supporters during the last reporting period.
Contributors in the last reporting period include:
$1,000 from Whiting Preston, president of Manatee Fruit Co.
$100 from Commissioner John Chappie.
$500 from former Manatee County School Board member Julie Aranibar.
$1,000 from West Coast Tomato LLC.
$1,000 from David Sessions, a commercial builder.
$1,000 from McClure Properties.
Baugh has two challengers in 2016.
Thomas Batchelor, who has no party affiliation, is a Longboat Key firefighter and paramedic. Batchelor has received $570 to date, including a $500 personal contribution from himself. Batchelor filed a waiver of report for the last period because he didn't receive any contributions.
Kathleen Grant, a Republican, gave $100 to her campaign during the last reporting period. The Lakewood Ranch resident has received $100 to date.
Three other Manatee County Commission seats will be on the ballot in 2016.
In the District 1 race, which covers Parrish and north county, Corie Holmes leads the way in campaign contributions with $5,407. Holmes, a Republican who ran against Commissioner Charles Smith in 2014 for the District 2 seat as a Democrat, received $3,000 during the most recent reporting period.
Also in the District 1 race: Nathaniel Leonard, a Republican, and former state Rep. Ron Reagan, a Republican. Commissioner Larry Bustle withdrew his name for re-election in 2016.
Leonard, who lost against Bustle in the 2012 GOP primary, loaned $500 to his campaign in April and hasn't since received any contributions since.
Reagan did not file for the 2016 election until Sept. 24.
In the District 3 race, which covers West Bradenton and Anna Maria Island, Commissioner John Chappie, a Republican, has received $37,865 for his re-election campaign. Chappie, who is unopposed, received $1,150 during the last period.
No candidates have filed for the District 7 at-large seat held by Betsy Benac, board chairwoman.
Claire Aronson, Manatee County reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7024. Follow her on Twitter@Claire_Aronson.
This story was originally published October 15, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh leads the way in campaign contributions with more than $57,000 ."