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Hernando Today

Brown-Waite Has Pile Of Cash To Defend Seat

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By TONY MARRERO

Hernando Today

Published: July 30, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - The Democrats seeking to unseat U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite will have to do it financially outgunned.

The Brooksville Republican has a massive pile of money to fund her bid for a third term representing the 5th District, which includes all of Hernando, Citrus, Sumter counties and portions of Lake, Levy, Pasco, Polk and Marion counties.

How outgunned? Brown-Waite had $409,723 in cash on hand by June 30, the end of the latest reporting period, according to the Federal Election Commission. That's about 200 times more than the combined cash the Democrats had. She has raised about $229,117 in individual contributions.

Carol Castagnero, a retired school teacher and one of the challengers, had $276 left of about $2,000 she loaned her own campaign, but she said she isn't worried.

Castagnero isn't raising money. She said that way, if elected, "I'm a free person" not beholden to special interests or other donors who might expect favors in return for campaign.

When candidates accept money, "Then you're obligated," she said. "If it weren't so, why is our country in the shape it's in?"

Castagnero's report also includes the $9,912 filing fee she paid with her own money.

John Russell, an acute care nurse practitioner from Dade City, reported contributions totaling $14,009. That included the filing fee Russell paid with his own money. He had $2,318 in cash on hand and debt of $10,100.

Russell has raised $3,556 from a handful of individual contributors. The biggest gift was $1,500 from Palm Harbor resident Cathy Ordiway, who listed her occupation as housewife.

Russell maintains he'll have enough resources to put up a fight as he did in 2006. Russell won the Democratic primary that year and lost to Brown-Waite in the general election. His new campaign brochure, however, boasts that he was "outspent by 20 to 1 (but) managed to garner well over 100,000 votes."

This time around, "We've got the motor running on the fundraising," Russell said, adding that his main goal is to raise money for media ads, especially television spots.

H. David Werder, a disabled former truck driver from Spring Hill who is making his third run for the seat, did not file a report. Candidates who do not raise more than $5,000 are not required to file.

Werder says asking for money isn't something that comes easily for him.

"I've made a couple of phone calls but haven't hit pay dirt," Werder said. "Some people can sell ice cubes to Eskimos. It's something I have to learn, and hopefully it won't take me another election cycle."

Brown-Waite has received support from a host of political action committees this year, including: $3,000 from the American Health Care Association; $2,000 from the American Bankers Association; $2,000 from the Associate Builders and Contractors; and $1,000 donations from AFLAC Inc., and the American Sugar Cane League.

Among the high dollar individual donors who gave to Brown-Waite this year are: Donna Arsenault, president and owner of Republic Telecom in San Antonio, who gave $2,550 in three separate donations; Ronnie Duncan, president of The Duncan Companies in Tarpon Springs, who gave $2,000; and Stephen Kurtz, a banker from Leesburg, who donated $750.

Brown-Waite's Hernando County donors include Bryan Marshall, a Weeki Wachee dentist who gave $1,000; Blaise Ingoglia, president of Hartland Homes and organizer of the recent Government Gone Wild seminars, who gave $500; and Cliff Manuel Jr., president of Coastal Engineering in Brooksville, who gave $400.

Brown-Waite couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday.

Reporter Tony Marrero can be reached at 352-544-5286 or lmarrero@hernandotoday.com.

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