In my post about the reporting of campaign contributions I stated, “it takes considerable time, effort and specialized knowledge … to dredge up such information.” And that’s what I’ve been doing: expending considerable time and effort dredging up the sources of funding in the City Commission races. Eventually I’ll write up a how-to so others can carry the torch in future years.
Overview
The race for the at-large seat is really between Annie Orlando and Helen Warren. The other three candidates, Barbara Ann Ruth, Mark Venzke and Don Shepherd, are all off the radar; they’ll do well to get 5% of the vote combined.
Incumbent Todd Chase is a shoo-in in District 2, made up of the Republican-leaning suburban precincts of northwest Gainesville. He faces only token opposition from Cheri Brodeur and Sheryl Eddie. Brodeur has eschewed accepting contributions, and Eddie may as well have, as both will prove unable to mount credible campaigns. Brodeur has promised an aggressive door-to-door campaign in the district and if successful it may bring her close to the “dead man vote” I’ve written about elsewhere.
District 3 encompasses the mostly UF-oriented city precincts west of the campus. Incumbent Susan Bottcher has a well-funded opponent in Craig Carter, but it would be an unprecedented upset if he were to prevail.
While there is a supposed contribution limit of $250 per person, Florida law has long expanded the definition of “person” to include corporations and organizations, thus rendering the contribution limit a hoax. Want to contribute more than $250? No problem! File the papers, pay the fee, write the check to the candidate of your choice. As many times as you want.
I’m going to be concerned here with the heavy hitters. Let’s get started…
JimAikin Blog 