Reports: Buchanan campaign has almost $1M more in bank than Fitzgerald

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, began 2012 with almost $1 million more in the bank than his presumptive Democratic challenger, former state Rep. Keith Fitzgerald, according to campaign finance records newly filed with the Federal Elections Commission.

In Congress since 2007, Buchanan bolstered his campaign by collecting almost $1.28 million in contributions in 2011, including almost $510,000 from individuals and more than $404,000 from political action committees, according to his filing.

Of the more than $1.1 million his campaign spent last year, more than $643,000 was paid to Buchanan -- who is one of the wealthiest members of Congress -- to pay back loans he had made to finance previous campaigns, according to the report.

As of Dec. 31, Buchanan reported having $1,122,789 cash on hand.

In his first filing since announcing his bid in October, Fitzgerald reported having $194,696 cash on hand. He reported contributions totaling $224,266, including almost $215,000 from individuals and $9,000 from political action committees.

Fitzgerald spent almost $30,000 in the first three months of his campaign.

Fitzgerald starts out with a large financial disadvantage in his bid to unseat Buchanan. However, national Democrats were impressed enough by his showing to commit to Fitzgerald fundraising and other support.

To review the reports in detail, visit FEC.gov.

Buchanan reports having $1.1 million in campaign account

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan's re-election campaign ended 2011 with $1.1 million cash on hand.

The campaign said in a statement Sunday that Buchanan, who faces a challenge from Sarasota Democrat Keith Fitzgerald in the 13th Congressional District, raised more than $321,000 in the final three months of 2011.

Buchanan's fourth quarter filing, which covers activity between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31,  wasn't yet posted on the Federal Elections Commission website. But the amount  the campaign said he raised would be almost $100,000 more than the amount Fitzgerald said Friday he had raised during the same period. Fitzgerald's report also wasn't available on the website.

Fitzgerald, who in 2010 lost his re-election bid for a state House seat, announced his candidacy for Congress in early October.

"Vern's agenda to create jobs, restrain spending and reduce the national debt has resonated with the people of the 13th District," Buchanan campaign spokeswoman Sally Tibbetts said in a statement. "We are humbled and grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support for Vern's re-election."

At the end of the third quarter, Buchanan, R-Sarasota, reported having more than $904,000 in cash on hand, and no debt.

Keith Fitzgerald reports raising almost $223K in bid to unseat Vern Buchanan

Almost 900 donors have contributed more than $223,000 to Keith Fitzgerald's campaign to unseat Vern Buchanan from the U.S. House of Representatives, Fitzgerald said Friday on his Facebook page.

That leaves Fitzgerald, a former state representative from Sarasota, far behind Buchanan, R-Sarasota -- and his ability to raise money and established willingness to spend his own wealth on his campaigns. But his fundraising since he announced last fall shows that Fitzgerald's likely will be more than a token candidacy.

"Clearly, this community came together quickly and decisively sending a message loud and clear that enough is enough and it’s time to restore honesty and integrity to Congress starting here in the 13th District," said Fitzgerald, a Democrat and professor at New College of Florida.

Details of Fitzgerald's campaign finance report for the fourth quarter of 2011 had not yet been posted on the Federal Elections Commission's website. The report is not due until Jan.15.

Buchanan's most recent filing also was not available. As of Sept. 30, Buchanan had reported having more than $904,000 in cash in his campaign account.

(We have an inquiry into Buchanan's campaign about what he will report to the FEC.)

Rep. Vern Buchanan has more than $900K in bank as he prepares for re-election campaign

Reports filed with the Federal Elections Commission show that U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, is starting out with a huge fund-raising lead in what is expected to be a general election battle next year with former state Rep. Keith Fitzgerald for the 13th District seat in Congress.

As of Sept. 30, Buchanan had more than $904,000 in cash on hand and zero debt.

Fitzgerald, a Sarasota Democrat who announced earlier this month after the most recent reporting deadline, reported zero contributions, zero expenditures and zero cash in the bank.

So far this year, Buchanan has raised more than $942,000. Almost two-thirds -- or almost $609,000 -- came from political action committees and the remainder from individuals, according to the FEC.

Buchanan in 2011 has spent almost $995,000, with almost $644,000 going to pay off personal loans Buchanan made to his campaign, according to reports.

Of the remaining $311,000, reports show $71,000 went to Patton Boggs, the Washington law firm representing Buchanan as he remains under investigation for possible campaign finance violations.

(The Federal Elections Commission has closed its investigation, finding no wrongdoing by Buchanan. However, Buchanan's campaign acknowledged earlier this month that the U.S. Justice Department is now investigating the matter.)

Keith Fitzgerald launches bid to unseat Rep. Buchanan

Former Florida state Rep. Keith Fitzgerald, a Democrat from Sarasota, on Thursday officially kicked off his bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota.

Here's Fitzgerald's announcement:

Sarasota, FL – Former State Representative Keith Fitzgerald today announced that he is running for Congress in Florida’s 13th Congressional District. Keith Fitzgerald is running because he believes political leaders in Congress have failed miserably when it comes to standing up for hard working American families, creating jobs, lowering the deficit, and honoring our nation’s seniors by protecting Social Security and Medicare. In announcing his candidacy, Keith Fitzgerald pledged to run his campaign, and serve in Congress, with the honesty and integrity Floridians and Americans expect in their members of congress. 

“Getting our country back on track will require electing leaders who can work across the aisle to create jobs, grow our economy and invest in the future of our fellow Americans who just want a fair chance to get ahead,” said Keith Fitzgerald. “I’ve worked with small business owners, Republicans and Democrats, to improve the lives of seniors and families here in Sarasota and along the Suncoast, and I want to take that same pragmatic approach to Washington.” 

Keith Fitzgerald, who lives in Sarasota, is a former state legislator and professor at New College of Florida. He grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, graduated from the University of Louisville, and earned a Ph.D. from Indiana University. He moved to Sarasota in 1994 to teach political science at the New College of Florida and was elected to the State Legislature in 2006.
In the state legislature, Fitzgerald was a watchdog for taxpayer dollars, who fought to take on corruption and make government more accountable. He partnered with business leaders to create jobs and cut taxes; and worked across the aisle to provide tax cuts for small businesses who invest in green technology. Fitzgerald worked tirelessly to protect Florida’s coast from offshore drilling and was a leader committed to making critical investments in Florida’s educational system. 

“Instead of focusing on creating jobs or helping families struggling to make ends meet, Congressman Vern Buchanan has tried to end Medicare and protect tax giveaways for big oil while running from one scandal to the next,” said Fitzgerald. “His tarnished leadership in a perfect example of what is wrong with Washington, and it’s time for him to go. 

“I am running to be the independent leader that the Suncoast can count on. I am going to stand up for the hopes and dreams of Floridians in the coming months, and share my vision for a strong economy by creating jobs right here at home and moving America forward.”

Learn more about Fitzgerald on his campaign website and on his Facebook page.