If the Homestead mayoral election this November reflects the race for cash in campaign reports, it’s going to be a two-man face off between Mayor Steve Bateman and hotelier Mark Bell, who just happens to be the husband of the former mayor, current Miami-Dade Commissioner Lynda Bell.
That’s because the third horse, Joseph Sewell, has not raised any funds — and, let’s face it, it’s going to be hard to get much ink next to the aforementioned near-celebrity duo.
And among the two leading men, Bell — who announced his candidacy in June — is winning the money grab and has outraised the incumbent by more than $3,500.
According to campaign finance reports, Bell has a total of $18,500 in contributions compared to Bateman, who managed to raise nearly $15,000 for his re-election campaign through June 30, which was before front page allegations of influence peddling. Bateman is being investigated by the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, accused of having leveraged his role as mayor to land a lucrative, secret side job working as a construction consultant for a nonprofit that needs the blessing of the city and county to expand its chain of health clinics, according to a Miami Herald story.
But Bell really has about twice as much cash on hand, as he has only spent $6.95 on bank fees while Bateman has had events, taken photos and bought flags and advertising to the tune of a total of $5,102.
None of Bateman’s support seems to come (obviously, that is) from Community Health of South Florida, Inc., the company that pays the mayor $125 an hour to lobby on its behalf (without him actually telling anyone he was lobbying for them). More than $3,000 comes from farmers and nursery owners and another $4,000 comes from construction contractors. Lobbyist Bob Levy gave $500 and Michael Strader and his two charter school companies gave a total of $1,500.
Bell’s contributions include about $9,000 from developers and builders, of which a third comes from developers and consultants in Jacksonville and $1,500 from Coral Gables developer Wayne Rosen.
They do not include much of his wife’s support group. In a quick glance over, Ladra was only able to identify $1,000 in donations that overlap with his wife’s countywide campaign in 2012, which means there are untapped fountains yet, ladies and gentlemen. Who was in Commissioner Bell’s bank two years ago that might show her hubby some love? Lobbyists Jorge Arrizurieta and Al Maloof and developers Jeffrey Berkowitz and Joaquin Avino, to name just a few.
Not to mention heavy hitting supporters like Gov. Rick Scott, pictured with the Bells here to the right, whose lackluster popularity these days may not necessarily be beneficial to Bell.
Ladra can’t wait for the next campaign reports to be filed in September.
Mark Bell leads Homestead $$ race vs. Mayor Steve Bateman added by Ladra on
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