Money Races

Rose Ferlita has raised $145,000 for her County Commission (District 1) race to replace Kathy Castor. She is going to need that and more since she is fighting the entire conservative east Hillsborough County Republican establishment. Ralph Hughes's reputed puppet (Brad Swanson) has raised $45,000. Republican Gary Santti has raised $100.00. despite his appearance at the recent debate, he can't be a serious candidate. Democrat Deborah Cope has raised just over $3,000. The Weekly Planet's Art Critic Mary Mulhern is mulling over a run for this race also.

In other County Commission races, District 3 candidate Kevin White has raised $103,000. Supposedly Chloe Coney is considering a run against him but she is going to be starting off with a serious cash handicap if she does. His announced opponent Ken Anthony has raised $15,000.

In his bid for re-election County Commissioner District 7 Mark Sharpe has raised $65,000 in one filing period versus his opponent Julieaann Goggans who has raised zero dollars. However she just started. Mark raised 116,000 in 2004

The bigtime money raising prize goes to County Commissioner District 5 Jim Norman who has $175,000 versus his opponent Jean Batronie who has rased zip since she entered the race in April 2005. Norman obviously is very afraid of Jean, for him ot raise os much moeny.

By the way the 2004 County Commissioner fundraising king was Bob Buckhorn with $276,000.