Nassau County electoral candidates have already racked up more than $613,000 in monetary campaign contributions.
By Tuesday afternoon total monetary contributions reached $613,268 with an additional $42,628 of in-kind contributions, bringing the sum total to $655,896, according to data from votenassau.com.
In the hotly contested battle for Nassau County Schools superintendent, Janet Adkins has $172,546 in monetary donations and $3,209 in-kind contributions. She often touts herself as the most conservative Republican in the race, but does not conserve when it comes to the campaign. She’s spent the most of any local candidate at $169,010.
Competitor Dr. Kathy Burns reached $85,381 in donations with $5,026 in-kind contributions and has spent $52,417. Contender Cheryl James has received $900 in monetary donations with $705 reported in expenditures.
In Florida elections, candidates must adhere to guidelines for contributions and all aspects of financial reporting, including making, soliciting and accepting contributions. Candidates “must designate a primary campaign depository with a bank or credit union authorized to do business in Florida,” the 2016 Candidate and Campaign Treasure Handbook from Florida Division of Elections notes.
Candidates or campaign treasurers must also certify the accuracy of each financial report.
Rules also govern candidates’ campaign contributions. Candidates must file a termination report within 90 days after a candidate withdraws, is elected or is eliminated, according to Supervisor of Elections Vicki Cannon.
They may not contribute more than $25,000 in remaining or non-obligated funds to candidates of the same party. Withdrawn candidates are free to donate funds to qualifying non-profits. They are also required to “return pro rata to each contributor the funds that have not been spent or obligated,” according to the handbook.
As the election draws near, the clerk of the circuit court and comptroller candidate Walter “Junior” Boatright received $21,650 in monetary contributions and $1,434 in-kind contributions. He has spent $15,443. Incumbent John Crawford received $19,625 with $1,871 in-kind contributions. He has spent $14,317.
In-kind contributions are “anything of value made for the purpose of influencing the results of an election,” the handbook notes.
Candidates must adhere to exceptions, including accepting money and “personal services provided without compensation to individual volunteers” and certain independent expenditures included within state statutes.
Property Appraiser Michael Hickox ran unopposed, totaling $690 in-kind contributions, with zero expenditures listed.
In the race for sheriff, Carol Batchelor received $5,000 in donations, $44 in-kind contributions and has $4,800 in expenditures.
Incumbent Bill Leeper listed $28,405 in monetary contributions and $919 in-kind donations with spending at $1,265.
Supervisor of Elections Vicki Cannon ran unopposed, reporting $335 in-kind donations and zero in expenditures.
Tax collector incumbent John Drew has $33,062 in funds and $3,599 in-kind donations. He has spent $10,987. Opponent Carlos Slay shows $4,350 in monetary support and $2,500 in-kind contributions with $3,206 in expenditures.
In the contest for the Nassau County Commissioner District 1 seat, incumbent Danny Leeper received $18,875 in contributions and $1,576 in-kind donations with $7,791 in expenditures. Opponent Sarah Pelican received $15,200 in monetary support and $2,000 in-kind contributions. She has spent $8,482.
In the District 3 race, Commissioner Pat Edwards listed $43,825 in monetary contributions and $787 in-kind donations. He reported $22,643 in expenditures. Challenger Tim Peak reported $16,464 in contributions with $567 in-kind support and $9,140 spent so far.
Klynt Farmer has received $13,645 in contributions for his bid for the District 5 seat, currently held by Boatright. In-kind contributions reached $7,305 with $12,862 in expenditures. Competitor Justin Taylor received $43,140 in contributions with $2,937 in-kind contributions listed. He has spent $32,615. Joe Zimmerman listed $52,392 in contributions, receiving $3,476 in-kind donations. He has spent $43,735.
District 2 School Board Member Gail Cook ran unopposed. She reported $70 in campaign contributions, $38 in-kind donations and spent $70. District 4 School Board Member Kimberly Fahlgren listed $1,600 in campaign contributions with $1,600 spent. She also ran unopposed.
District 5 School Board candidate Tyrone A. Blue received $7,491 in contributions and $1,076 in-kind contributions and has $6,091 in expenditures. Opponent Jonathan Petree received $11,756 in campaign contributions with $131 in-kind donations and has $9,599 in expenditures.
In the Ocean, Highway and Port Authority District 1 race, Edward Coop received $638 in donations and in-kind contributions of $417 with $51 spent. Pat Gass reports zero funds received while Coleman Carnegie Langshaw has $1,225 in contributions. He has spent $885. Robert Sturgess received $4,510 in donations with $500 in-kind donations. He has spent $3,416.
In District 2, Jimmy Dubberly received $5,280 in campaign contributions, $1,373 in-kind donations and has spent $4,567. Danny Fullwood received $3,685 in contributions and $295 in-kind donations with $2,213 spent.
Early voting began Aug. 19 and ends Saturday. Primary election day is Tuesday. The Florida Elections Committee oversees candidates’ actions concerning the proper distribution of funds before, during and after elections.
“If there is a violation, a complaint would need to be filed with the Florida Elections Commission,” Cannon wrote via email recently. “If the qualifying officer (state or supervisor of elections) sees anything that does not appear to meet the requirements of law it is brought to the attention of the candidate. However, if the candidate does not take action, a complaint could be filed.”
State law outlines requirements for election protocols, according to Cannon.
“The handbook provides candidates with the statutory requirements,” she wrote. “If a violation occurs, complaints are to be made to the Florida Elections Commission. The qualifying officers (division of elections and supervisors of elections) have a ministerial function in that we must make sure the reports are complete and filed timely. Otherwise, any violations would be reported to the state attorney’s office or the Florida Elections Commission.”
To file complaints, visit http://www.fec.state.fl.us/FECWebFi.nsf/pages/Complaints.