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Boulware Awash in Cash in District 9 Race
Jul 29, 2008 - Tallahassee Democrat

   Former football star Peter Boulware may have an unlevel playing field as a Republican running in a strongly Democratic district, but he has an enormous lead in campaign cash.

 

   In a meeting with the Tallahassee Democrat's editorial board, though, Jefferson County Commissioner Jerry Sutphin said today he's undeterred by the former FSU and Baltimore Raven's name identity and fund-raising ability. Sutphin said he won't have television advertising or mass mailings, but thinks he can overtake Boulware -- the choice of the state GOP leadership -- by working precincts and public gatherings in the next four weeks.

 

   "If races were won by money, Mitt Romney would be our Republican nominee for president," Suthpin said. "I just have to go out to the farmer's markets, the retirement homes and through the community to talk to people one at a time."

 

   Campaign-finance reports in the Division of Elections showed that Boulware has raised $221,698 for the District 9 race, compared to Sutphin's $6,374. Sutphin's total includes a $3,000 loan to his campaign and his expenditures thorough July 18 were $56.46 more than he took in.

 

   Boulware's campaign had a $94,889.31 balance.

 

   That's more than triple the closing balance of Democrat Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, who collected $121,921 and had $26,716.72 on hand at the end of the reporting period.

 

   With State Rep. Loranne Ausley, D-Tallahassee, barred from re-election by the eight-year term limit, Boulware was recruited for the race by House Speaker-designate Ray Sansom, R-Destin, and Florida Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer. The state GOP has helped his campaign raise money for what is likely to be a tough race against Vasilinda. Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans roughly 47,000 to 31,000 in the district.

 

   "Unfortunately, in this business, you have to raise a lot of money," said Boulware. "But I think a lot of Democrats think like me. If elected as a Republican, I can be very effective for the district."

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