Coley leads Pleat in fundraising

PANAMA CITY ? Republican Marti Coley has a substantial fundraising lead over her Democratic challenger David Pleat, but the majority of donations are from out of the district.

Coley, who represents District 7 in the Florida House, has raised $177,941 since she began taking contributions for her re-election campaign in February 2009, compared to $34,377 for Pleat.

However, less than $22,000 of that comes from people and businesses with addresses inside the district, according to campaign finance documents. Donors who live near the district, including many in Panama City, Lynn Haven and Panama City Beach, also donated to her campaign.

Pleat said because the majority of Coley?s contributions come from out of the district, her steep fundraising advantage doesn?t necessarily translate to an advantage in November.

?I think absolutely it has no bearing on where voters are at,? he said, adding contributors to his campaign are almost all district residents.

Bryan Cherry, campaign manager for Coley, said her campaign feels the monetary advantage ?is an indication of voters? preference.? He said donations to her campaign have come from across the district and ?It?s a pretty good indication she?s done a good job.?

Donations from out of the district also indicate strong support for the candidate, he said. ?People aren?t going to put their money in someone?s campaign if they don?t feel he or she is doing a good job,? he said.

In the month leading to the general election, Pleat said he plans to meet with district residents.

?The most important thing is and always will be making contact with people in the district,? he said.

The Coley campaign plans to use their fundraising advantage to reach as many people as possible, by sending out mailers and meeting with people face to face, officials said.