Grayson, a wealthy attorney, loaned his campaign $500,000 in the quarter ending June 30, offsetting dismal fundraising that collected only about $37,000. Stuart, a business consultant, collected $224,000, much of it from farming interests and establishment Democrats.
Their totals threaten to squeeze out a third Democrat, attorney Mike Smith, who is also competing for a chance to knock out incumbent U.S. Rep. Ric Keller, R-Orlando. Smith’s $73,387 ranked him a distant third in fundraising and cash on hand. Two other Democrats raised almost nothing.
