By The News Service of Florida
The state doled out $25,000 to a handful of statewide candidates on Friday, bringing the four-week total for the public campaign finance program to just under $3 million.
U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, a leader in the 11-person Republican gubernatorial primary field, picked up more than $13,000 in the fourth round of voter-approved public campaign financing. He has now received just over $800,000 from the public pool.
Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, the only other gubernatorial candidate receiving money on Friday collected more than $9,200, bringing his four-week total to about $168,200.
The program matches contributions of $250 or less from individuals residing in Florida to the campaign accounts of candidates running for governor, state attorney, chief financial officer and agriculture commissioner.
A candidate for one of the statewide offices must apply for the funding. To qualify for the money, candidates must raise at least $100,000 in campaign contributions if seeking a Cabinet office or $150,000 if running for governor.
Former U.S. Rep. David Jolly, a candidate for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, didn’t receive any money on Friday. However, he continues to be the top beneficiary of the public campaign finance program this year at $1.6 million.
Attorney General James Uthmeier drew nearly $1,400 from the program last week and has now received almost $147,000. His Democratic challenger Jose Javier Rodriguez picked up $828 from the state last week and has now received a little more than $262,000.
In the 2022 election cycle, which includes both the primary and general election periods, the program distributed $13 million, of which more than half went to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ re-election effort.
Voters approved the program in 1998 and the Legislature unsuccessfully asked voters to end the program in 2010 and 2024.
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