Contributions bulge for Sarasota Republicans

On Friday, Sept. 27, the day the Republican Party of Sarasota filled Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall to honor Sean Hannity as Statesman of the Year, the Sarasota GOP collected more than 60 campaign contributions for roughly $5,000.

The party collected $84,061 total in the most recent fundraising period from July 1, to Sept. 30, according to financial reports available on the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections website. The campaign fundraising effort echoes a similarly strong period by local Republican candidates.

Sarasota County Commission District 2 candidate Paul Caragiulo reported $20,260 in third quarter collections, which is his first filing. And County Commission District 4 candidate Al Maio raised $15,175 in the same period, bringing his total campaign contributions to $82,229.

Republican Pete Theisen is also running for the District 2 seat and Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations President Lourdes Ramirez had suggested a possible run for the District 4 seat as a Republican. Sarasota County Charter Review Board member Mark Hawkins told the Observer the same last year.

Niether Caragiulo, who is vying for the seat currently held by Commissioner Joe Barbetta, or Maio, who aims for Commissioner Nora Patterson's seat, have Democratic challengers.

The Democratic Party of Sarasota raised $6,048 in the third quarter of this year, which was its first filing ahead of the 2014 General Election. The party collected more than $12,000 in its first filing in preparation for the 2012 General Election, according to finance reports.