Buchanan comes out above Good in fundraising. It took another $250,000 loan
En route to outraising Margaret Good, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan dipped into his own wealth for the third quarter in a row, according to the latest campaign finance records.
Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, raised $670,000, but $250,000 of that money came in the form of a loan to his campaign. Without the loan, Good, D-Sarasota, who raised $477,000, would have outraised Buchanan by about $50,000.
In the first quarter of the year, Buchanan also took out a loan to best Good’s fundraising numbers. The seven-term congressman, and one of the wealthiest members in the U.S. House of Representatives, loaned himself $150,000 at that time.
In the fourth quarter of 2019, Buchanan provided himself with $100,000, which brings his total contribution in the election cycle to $500,000.
“The fact that we outraised (Good) by $200,000 is significant. The fact that we have $1.7 million cash-on-hand compared to her $1 million is equally significant,” said Max Goodman, Buchanan’s campaign manager. “We’re very comfortable where we are right now with the resources necessary to get our positive vision and agenda out before the election.”
In a statement provided to the Bradenton Herald, Good focused on her support from local residents in Florida’s 16th Congressional District, which includes Manatee County and parts of Sarasota and Hillsborough counties.
“Our record-breaking quarter shows that voters in the 16th District are ready for change. Thousands of grassroots supporters contributed to this campaign because they believe we need better representation in Washington,” Good said. “I’m truly grateful for their support, and I’m excited to continue building on our momentum.”
On Thursday, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced that it has added Good to its Red to Blue program, which means the national group will provide Good’s campaign with fundraising support, candidate training and other resources.
Buchanan and Good will face one another in the Nov. 3 General Election.
This story was originally published July 20, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
