Democrat Gwen Graham posted more than $450,000 in the third quarter fundraising, which her campaign boasts is a sign that North Florida voters are tired of the dysfunctional Congress and are eyeing a change of leadership.
Graham, daughter of former governor Bob Graham, is running against Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland in Florida’s Congressional District 2.
“I’m overwhelmed by the support we’ve received from Democrats, Republicans and Independents across North Florida,” Graham said in a statement.
“The families in my district are ready for new leadership — a Congresswoman who is committed to working with both Republicans and Democrats to focus on solutions instead of partisanship – because these problem solving values are at the core of what makes North Florida and our country great,” she added.
Fundraising is proving to be Graham’s strong suit. Since April, when she announced her run for Congress, the former district attorney and mother of three reported her campaign raised $375,000 through June 30, with more than $300,000 cash-on-hand.
In the most recent reporting period — July 1 to Sept. 30 — she brought that total to more than $830,000, with over $665,000 cash-on-hand.
Graham’s name recognition, a strong fundraising performance and the general dissatisfaction with the current Congress, gives her reasonable chance of success in the Second Congressional District. Leon County is home to both the state government and two large universities, and often leans Democratic.
However, Bay County is second- largest in the district and includes Panama City, which leans Republican. History shows that outside of Leon County the vote is solidly conservative.
