Political Action Committees

Two Candidates, Two Very Different Ways of Paying In House District 64

October 18, 2026 B. John 175 Views 0 Comments Republican Party of Florida, 2026 Florida Elections, Campaign Finance, Florida House District 64, Luis Salazar, Political Action Committees, Dan Weldon, Grassroots Fundraising

This entry is in the series 2026 Elections

How much does it cost to send someone to Tallahassee? And more importantly, who’s picking up the tab? Campaign finance reports may not be exciting, but the numbers in Florida House District 64 reveal a clear story. One candidate has raised most of his money from individual donors, while the other has received most of his support from political committees and Republican Party groups. The difference is striking.

Democrat Luis Salazar has raised over $64,000 from individuals, with hundreds of small donations. Republican Dan Weldon has raised about $12,000 from individual donors. At the same time, Republican Party organizations have given Weldon about $106,500 in cash and campaign services, such as staff, polling, research, and consulting. That’s about 62% of his total reported campaign resources. It seems Tallahassee provides more than just legislative advice.

It’s no surprise that political parties back their candidates. But how much support they give, compared to money from regular people, is worth a closer look. We’ve reviewed both candidates’ campaign finance reports, including where their money comes from and who pays for professional help. The results raise an important question for voters: Who is paying to put your next state representative in office?

Featured Politics Congress

Gus Bilirakis: Who Benefits from His Votes?

October 10, 2026 B. John 150 Views 0 Comments Medicaid Cuts, Hillsborough County, Political Action Committees, Pasco County, Campaign Finance, Congressional Voting Record, Gus Bilirakis, Florida Congressional District 12

This entry is in the series 2026 Elections

After nearly 20 years in Congress, Gus Bilirakis has had plenty of opportunities to demonstrate whose interests he represents. Now, with Florida’s newly drawn Congressional District 12 stretching across parts of Hillsborough and Pasco counties, it’s worth looking at his record. For residents worried about health care, household expenses, and the rising cost of living, some of his votes raise uncomfortable questions.

Bilirakis supported legislation that the Congressional Budget Office projects will leave millions more Americans uninsured and reduce federal food assistance. He opposed bipartisan infrastructure funding and pandemic relief that provided direct help to families and communities. Apparently, there’s plenty of room in Washington to cut taxes, but far less enthusiasm for helping people pay their medical bills.

Then there’s the campaign money. Nearly 56% of Bilirakis’s direct campaign contributions come from political committees, including PACs associated with pharmaceutical manufacturers, health insurers, utilities, and telecommunications companies. Many of those industries have business before the congressional committee on which he serves. Campaign contributions don’t prove influence, of course. But after two decades in Washington, voters have every reason to ask a simple question: Who is Gus Bilirakis working for?