Steube widens fund-raising lead

It's only money, and the Republican primary is still more than a year away, but if campaign finance reports are any indicator, Greg Steube has widened his lead in the race for District 67 seat in the Florida House.

Steube, son of Manatee Sheriff Brad Steube, collected $46,646 in contributions during the second quarter of this year, April through June, according to finance reports filed with the Florida Division of Elections. That brought his total haul so far to almost $108,000.

Steube, a Bradenton attorney, has spent a little more than $10,300, leaving him with just less than $100,000 in cash on hand.

The second-biggest fund raiser in the race, Robert K. McCann, collected $21,865 in contributions during the second quarter, bringing his total take to a little more than $52,600, according to campaign finance reports. McCann, a Lakewood Ranch attorney and businessman, has spent more than $13,000 on the race so far.

Next is Sarasota businessman Jeremiah Joseph Guccione, who raised $6,375 during the second quarter. He has raised a total of $26,660, and spent $3,000. He has narrowed some of the gap with Steube by loaning his campaign $50,000.

The fourth candidate in the race, Marie Nisco, a member of the Sarasota County charter review commission, has reported no financial activity by her campaign.

District 67 includes parts of Manatee, Sarasota and Hillsborough counties. Incumbent Rep. Ron Reagan, R-Bradenton, cannot run for re-election because of term limits.

So far, no Democrats have entered the race.

In other Manatee County races, Bradenton businessman Jim Boyd, a Republican, collected almost $32,000 in contributions during the second quarter, bringing his total to $46,825. He also has loaned his campaign $10,000, and spent more than $17,000. He is the only candidate so far in the race to replace District 68 Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, who cannot run for re-election because of term limits.

In District 55, which includes slivers of Manatee and Sarasota counties, Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, reported $5,500 in contributions during the second quarter, bringing his total to $11,800. He has spent just under $3,000 so far, according reports.

His Democratic challenger, Martha Allen, reported no financial activity by her campaign.

To review the reports, which include the names of donors, visit the Florida Division of Elections Web site, here.