Republican Melissa Rutland opened an early fundraising advantage over Democrat Lindsay Polega-Quigley in the race between two newcomers for the open House District 60 seat to succeed St. Petersburg Democratic Rep. Lindsay Cross.

Rutland raised just over $37,000 in contributions across her campaign account and the Friends of Melissa Rutland committee through June 26, while Polega-Quigley raised about $28,000 through her campaign account.

Much of Rutland’s fundraising came from political organizations that quickly lined up behind her candidacy. It also includes a $2,000 candidate loan.

Her candidate report lists 13 separate $1,000 contributions from political committees using the same 527 E. Park Ave. address in Tallahassee. Together, those contributions supplied $13,000 — more than 40% of the $31,000 Rutland raised through her candidate account.

The committees included Florida Right Direction, Flagler Forever, Honest Leadership, Safer Florida, Central Florida Solutions, Florida Influence, First Coast Sunlight, Friends of Nick DiCeglie, South Florida Solutions, Clay Conservatives and Florida Opinion Leaders. Boatwashers for Botana and Prescription for Florida’s Prosperity — all of which share the same Treasurer, Noreen Fenner. Fenner serves as treasurer for financial operations of the Florida House Republican Campaign Committee and for many conservative political figures and committees, including the Friends of Melissa Rutland.

Rutland also received $1,000 contributions from Friends of Traci Koster and Friends of Kim Berfield. Her support also includes contributions from several local business and political figures, including $1,000 contributions from former state Sen. Jeff Brandes, Pinellas County Commissioner Kathleen Peters, former St. Petersburg City Council Member Robert Blackmon and Tampa businessman and former Hillsborough County Commission candidate Aakash Patel. 

Pinellas County Commissioner Brian Scott and former St. Petersburg City Council Member Ed Montanari each contributed $500. 

Her affiliated committee, Friends of Melissa Rutland, reported raising $9,000 through July 3 and no expenditures. Its contributions included $5,000 from Scherer Construction, $2,500 from the Florida Natural Gas Political Committee, $1,000 from GOP Pollster and Political Analyst Matt Towery and $500 from business owner Shannon Moore. 

Meanwhile, Polega-Quigley’s fundraising was driven much more by individual donors. Her report contains 131 contribution entries, more than 100 of them for $250 or less. Like Rutland, she also reported 13 $1,000 contributions, but 11 came from individuals. The other two donations came from Industrial Water System Service and the Moving Pinellas Forward, the political committee affiliated with Cross. Cross has also endorsed Polega-Quigley as her successor of choice.

The candidates spent relatively little during their opening weeks.

Rutland reported just under $2,000 in expenditures, including the state qualifying fee. Overall, Rutland has just over $37,000 available across both accounts.

Polega-Quigley has spent just over $3,000, including the qualifying fee, fundraising processing charges and a $400 payment to Resonance Campaigns. She entered the next stage of the race with nearly $25,000 available.

Rutland and Polega-Quigley are the only candidates seeking the open HD 60 seat, setting up a General Election contest in November.