Rice Receives $4,100 in Food for Fundraisers

GOP Pinellas County Sheriff's candidates Bob Gualtieri and Everett Rice are on a spending spree with less than a month left before the Republican Primary.

The candidates have built thousands of dollars in campaign contributions over the course of months, only to spend a combined $259,174.70 from April 1 to July 6, according to their most recent campaign filings.

So far, they've spent thousands on advertising, consulting and marketing.

Here is a more detailed look at each:

Bob Gualtieri

Gualtieri did more spending than raising during the past three months. 

Gualtieri raised about $17,700 and spent a little more than $109,600 including $395 for advertising on Facebook and $60 for a campaign with email marketing company Constant Contact.

He also spent roughly $23,800 to Direct Marketing Southeast for mailing and printing services and paid Ricky Butler $11,000 for labor.

Contributors:

• Adams and Diaco law firm, $500, attorney Stephen and his wife also both gave $500
• Rubber City, tire company in St. Petersburg, $500
• Tiffany Restaurant in Palm Harbor, $250, they also got a refund of $100 for giving more than they could based on campaign finance laws.
• Venus Restaurant in Largo, $100
• Hopen University, $100
• Harvey Smith, debate organizer, $100

Gualtieri did not have any in-kind food donations for fundraisers.

Everett Rice

Rice outraised and outspent Gualtieri.

Rice raised a little under $51,200 and spent nearly $150,000, according to his most recent filing.

He also received $4,100 worth of in-kind donations for 13 fundraisers. A property management company in Madeira Beach donated $90 in office space.

Rice spent just under $9,000 for advertising costs in Tampa Bay Newspapers and $11,250 to Florida State Graphics for advertising, $3,000 for consulting costs to Mary Repper and Associates and $1,000 for advertising costs with the Republican Party of Pinellas County.

The campaign spent just over $114,400 to different companies listed at the same Harrisburg, PA address — 4421 St. Andrews Way — for consulting, advertising, domain name and hosting to The David Millner Group and Strategic Image Management.

The same St. Andrews Way address is also associated with the Citizen Alliance for a Strong Economy, an electioneering communications group that supports Republican state and legislative candidates including Florida politicians JD Alexander, Mike Haridopolos and Sen. Joe Negron. The group filed paperwork with the state Division of Elections in May. The treasurer for the electioneering group used the same Harrisburg address.

Rice also spent $29.85 to hostgator.com for three months of web hosting.

Contributors:

• The Round Up, $500
• Louis Pappas Restaurant Group, $100
• Redington Beach Restaurant Group, $500
• Attorney John Trevena, $200
• Bankers Insurance Group, $500
• Emergency Bail Bonds, $100
• Salon Suites on Main, Dunedin, $300

In-kind food donations for fundraisers:

• Brady’s Backyard BBQ, Safety Harbor, $200 (April 8)
• Lee Roy Selmons, Palm Harbor, $300 (April 2)
• Thirsty Marlin, Palm Harbor, $200 (April 10)
• City Fish Grill and Chop House, Oldsmar, $500 (April 17)
• Cafe DePaz, Dunedin, $200 (April 24)
• Island Way Grill, $400 (May 14)
• Leo’s Italian Restaurant, Palm Harbor, $300 (May 17)
• Donks Sports Bar, $200 (May 21)
• Seabreeze Island Grill, Redington Shores, $500 (May 24)
• Pappas Ranch, Clearwater $300 (June 12)
• Safety Harbor Resort and Spa, $400 (June 15)
• O’Keefe’s Family Tavern, $200 (June 21)
• Oyster Shucker, St. Pete Beach, $400 (June 28)