Brandes, Sachs Bring in Campaign Cash

By News Service of Florida

Trying to fend off challengers for their Senate seats, incumbent Republican Jeff Brandes and incumbent Democrat Maria Sachs topped all other Senate campaign fundraisers from Aug. 30 to Sept. 12, according to newly filed finance reports. Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, collected $63,450 for his campaign account during the two-week period, giving him an overall total of $631,711. He also reported a $46,000 in-kind contribution from the Republican Party of Florida for campaign staff. Madeira Beach Democrat Judithanne McLauchlan, Brandes' opponent in Senate District 22 in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, raised $17,649 during the period, giving her an overall total of $212,665, the reports show. Meanwhile, in a closely watched race in Broward and Palm Beach counties, Sachs, D-Delray Beach, collected $35,598 for her campaign account, giving her an overall total of $263,527. Sachs' Republican opponent in District 34, former Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, collected $23,105 during the period and reported an overall total of $306,815.