State rep candidates stack war chests

By Jim McCarthy and Mandy Miles

A LOOK AT CAMPAIGN FINANCE$ THU$ FAR

REPUBLICAN STATE REP. CANDIDATES AHEAD IN FUNDRAISING

Campaign signs are popping up everywhere and glossy postcards are filling mailboxes. In the race to represent District 120 in the Florida House of Representatives, two Republican candidates, including the incumbent, are leading the fundraising efforts. With more than $201,000 in his campaign coffers, Republican State Rep. Jim Mooney, who is seeking reelection to his second term as state representative for the Keys and a portion of south MiamiDade County, has outraised all other candidates, including Republican challenger Rhonda Rebman Lopez, who has brought in $85,000 since entering the race in April. Mooney’s fundraising efforts, however, began in November 2021, according to state election documents. Campaign finance records show monetary contributions totaling just over $138,000 since last September for Mooney. He secured the Republican nod following a slim victory in the 2020 primary and a win over Democrat Clint Barras in the 2020 general election. Since April, Mooney’s campaign has received a little more than $90,000 in contributions thanks to two Florida Republican groups. The Florida House Republican Campaign Committee poured $56,000 into Mooney’s campaign in April. And close to $41,000 was given to his campaign by the Republican Party of Florida since May. The Florida House Republican Committee has spent more than $255,000 dating back to last fall on various campaigns through direct donations, mailers and advertisements. The Republican Party of Florida has expended more than $10 million since last fall. Mooney’s campaign has also received contributions from local businesses including Wahoo’s, Robbie’s Marine Enterprises, Theater of the Sea and The Caribbean Resort, all in Islamorada. Mooney has the backing of Republican leadership in the House, with endorsements from Paul Renner, Florida House speaker for 2022; Rep. Danny Perez, of Miami, who will serve as speaker following the 2024 election; and Rep. Sam Garrison, of Clay County, who will be speaker at the conclusion of the 2026 general election. “Certainly, having the speaker of the house and house Republican leadership behind me says a lot,” he said. “That means a lot to me and it should mean a lot to the people of the district who understand that politics are not cut and dry.” Mooney paid $1,781.82 in order to qualify and appear on the ballot for the Aug. 23 primary. Republican challenger Rhonda Rebman Lopez, who finished second to Mooney by 148 votes in a three-way race in the 2020 primary, has secured $85,520 in campaign contributions since April. Rebman Lopez has received a number of donations from Key Largo residents, as well as businesses like United Nursery LLC in Homestead, Concrete Construction in Key Largo and Ocean Reef Dive Shop. Citing the need for active leadership in District 120, she announced her candidacy on April 1. So far, Rebman Lopez’s campaign has spent $32,558. She’s director of international marketing for PECO International, a 67-year-old family business in Miami-Dade County. In January, she was appointed to the Florida Advisory Council on Small and Minority Business Development. Rebman Lopez’s platform includes supporting parental rights when it comes to education, ensuring funds for Monroe and southern Dade counties, safeguarding the Second Amendment and defending Florida’s agriculture industry, among others. “I’m the hardest worker, the most visible, the easiest to get in touch with and have the most tenacity and energy,” Rebman Lopez told the Weekly earlier in the month. “I will represent the entire House district.” Rebman Lopez’s campaign has received 82 campaign contributions from individuals and groups since May. Rebman Lopez secured enough signed petitions to qualify for the race. Rebman Lopez has secured an endorsement from the Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida. She said she continues to listen to the district’s needs and intends on delivering on those needs if elected.

Jim Mooney Filed Nov. 18, 2020

Contributions: $201,093.20 Loans: $0 Inkind: $50,420.27 Expenditures: $43,049.58

Rhonda Rebman Lopez Filed April 1, 2022

Contributions: $85,520.66 Loans: $0 Inkind: $1,654.55 Expenditures: $32,588.93

Robert Allen Filed Dec. 21, 2021

Contributions: $150 Loans: $0 Inkind: $0 Expenditures: $0

Adam Gentle Filed Jan. 4, 2022

Contributions: $77,284 Loans: $0 InKind: $4,492 Expenditures: $25,412

Daniel Horton-Diaz Filed Jan. 5, 2022

Contributions: 55,835.01 Loans: $16,000 InKind: $1,120 Expenditures: $20,032 Big Pine Key resident Robert Allen threw his name into the hat for state representative on the Republican side last December. To date, he’s secured two campaign contributions totaling $150. He hasn’t spent anything so far. He paid the qualifying fee to enter the race. On June 28, a letter from the state Division of Elections was sent to Allen stating that he did not file a campaign treasurer’s report nor give notification stating that no reportable activity occurred by the June 24 filing date. According to the division of elections, if reportable activity occurs and a report isn’t filed, fines are automatically assessed until the report is filed. Fines are $50 per day for the first three days late and $500 per day for each day after the third day late. If no reportable activity occurred, no automatic fines are assessed. A letter is required, however, stating that no reportable activity occurred. On the Democrat side, anti-corruption attorney Adam Gentle, who lives on Big Coppitt Key with his husband, leads Daniel Horton-Diaz in fundraising. As of June 29, Gentle had raised $77,284 since he entered the race in January. Horton-Diaz, an attorney and former staffer in the Florida Senate and U.S. House, has raised $55,835, including $16,000 that he loaned his campaign. Horton-Diaz’s financial support has come mostly from individual donors, including several people from throughout the Florida Keys, Homestead and Miami. He also has received $1,000 donations from the Communications Workers of America union and a painters union. He also received $1,000 from Dream Bay Resort wedding venue and vacation rentals in Key Largo. Gentle, who has become a familiar face at Key West events, has raised $77,284 since joining the race in January. Most of his support also comes from individuals, including $1,000 checks from Key West residents, business owners and retirees, including $1,000 donations from John Spottswood, Chris Massicotte, Matthew Helmerich, Jeffrey Smead, Charles Morris, Carolyn Burruss and William Burruss. Gentle also has received support from his home state of Michigan, as well as New York, Miami and Washington, D.C.

Key West Mayor Teri Johnston has endorsed Gentle for state representative, saying, “Adam Gentle is the leader we need fighting for us in Tallahassee. As an anti-corruption attorney, he is ready to take on Tallahassee’s special interests and put our community first.” Gentle also received an endorsement from the LGBTQ Victory Fund, which works to get members of the LGBTQ community elected to public office. If elected, Gentle will be just the eighth openly gay lawmaker to serve in the Florida Legislature and the fourth currently serving, states a March article in FloridaPolitics.com. Former U.S. Rep. Debbie MucarselPowell, who represented the Florida Keys, has been guiding Gentle through some of the political process and said, “I think he would be the best person to represent the district.” Horton-Diaz, who formerly worked as Mucarsel-Powell’s district chief of staff in the Keys, has received the endorsement of Key West city commissioners Sam Kaufman, Clayton Lopez and Jimmy Weekley, according to his campaign website. He’s also been endorsed by former Monroe County Commissioner Shirley Freeman, as well as the Miami Dade Young Democrats and Florida Young Democrats.

BUILT BACK BETTER

City of Marathon conducts massive 7-day build at Rotary Park

More than 400 volunteers donated 1,600 hours over seven days to rebuild Marathon Rotary Park last week. The job site was crawling with men and women, both skilled and unskilled, erecting a complicated playground with sunshades and turrets and slides and swings. “It was truly a group effort by Marathon volunteers and city employees,” said city manager George Garrett. “I am so pleased that the city of Marathon continues to provide for families and children. The park itself is beautiful but, more importantly, perhaps, it demonstrates the city’s commitment to locals and the locals’ involvement in the community they live in.” Marathon paid just over $500,000 for the equipment, design and installation leadership from Play By Design, a New York State-based company that specializes in community builds. The new playground replaces a structure that was built in the early 2000s with community donations and volunteer labor. The second iteration is no different. Many local companies volunteered on the build located between 75th and 76th Streets in the heart of Marathon. For example, Marathon Electric Sign and Light brought a crane to move completed cupolas to the top of the structure. Selevel Inc. drilled all of the 200-plus auger holes and spent personal time on-site during the entire build. GA Contractors, Keys Contracting Services, D’Asign Source and others also had multiple employees helping with the more skilled aspects of the job. Other members of the community worked around the clock to keep them fed and nourished. Restaurants donated breakfast and dinner. The Calvary Baptist Church adjacent to the playground opened its parish hall so volunteers could have lunch in air-conditioned comfort. On June 25, Keys Vineyard Church parked its food truck next to the park and dispensed drinks and treats. Volunteers came out in droves — off-duty Coast Guard service personnel, parents, grandparents, elected officials, political candidates, Realtors, boat captains, bankers, teachers and, of course, Marathon’s Parks and Recreation Department. The parks personnel were onsite every single day in full force. They mixed cement, dug holes and cut lumber to length. They also organized and recharged the hand-held tools, sorted screws and nails into plastic cups for distribution, filled water coolers and kept track of the volunteers on the busy, yet safe, job site. “I am so very proud of them,” said Marathon Parks and Recreation Director Paul Davis of his employees. “And just as proud of our community. We learned a lot on this build, and I don’t think we will ever have another opportunity like this one because I expect this playground to last 30 to 40 years; from my perspective, a lifetime.” This week, Marathon employees and a few dedicated volunteers are putting the final touches on the playground – leveling the job site and covering it with mulch that is already on site. The city is still actively soliciting sponsorships and donations to offset the cost of the build and donors can still buy fence pickets for $50 each, inscribed with a name. More information about making a donation is available by calling the park office at 305-743-6598 or in person at the Parks and Recreation Department located at Marathon Community Park, 200 36th Street, Oceanside. A grand opening will be scheduled soon.

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1. Marathon Rotary Park features two play areas – one for toddlers and another for older children. SARA MATTHIS/ City of Marathon

2. Parks and Recreation Director Paul Davis mixes cement for the rebuild of Marathon Rotary Park. SARA MATTHIS/ City of Marathon

3. Volunteers Kevin and Adam put up safety railing at the park. SARA MATTHIS/ City of Marathon

4. City of Marathon Parks and Recreation Employees celebrate atop one of the structures on June 28. CONTRIBUTED/City of Marathon

5. Della routs pieces of lumber for the playground. SARA MATTHIS/City of Marathon

6. Denise and her crew show up to volunteer early one morning. SARA MATTHIS/ City of Marathon