Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Matching Funds Top $11.55 Million

Florida has parceled out more than $11.55 million in matching funds in this year’s statewide campaigns, with about $10.75 million going to gubernatorial candidates, according to data posted on the state Division of Elections website.

As of Friday, Gov. Ron DeSantis had drawn nearly $6.56 million for his re-election campaign, while Democratic challenger Charlie Crist had received about $3.25 million.

Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who lost a Democratic gubernatorial primary to Crist, received about $945,000 in matching funds.

Republican Attorney General Ashley Moody had the next-highest amount at nearly $268,000, while Republican Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis had pulled in about $208,000.

Adam Hattersley, a Democrat running against Patronis in the Nov. 8 election, had received about $149,000.

Democrat Daniel Uhlfelder, who lost a primary for attorney general to Aramis Ayala, drew about $178,000.

The state offers matches for contributions of $250 or less from individuals to statewide candidates’ campaign accounts.

Matching funds are not available for contributions to political committees or outside of statewide races.

Not all candidates participate in the program.

This year’s total is the most in a single election cycle.