Dade Democratic congressional challengers fill coffers

The three Democrats looking to oust three South Florida Republicans from Congress are off to a healthy start in their fundraising campaigns.

Wed, Apr. 16, 2008

BY LESLEY CLARK, Miami Herald

The Democratic challengers to Miami's three Republican Cuban-American members of Congress are starting the race with healthy campaign coffers, slightly outpacing the incumbents in the first fundraising quarter, campaign finance reports show.

The last candidate to get in the race, Annette Taddeo, who is challenging Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, reported Tuesday raising more than $321,511 in just over a month -- a sum that includes a $180,000 loan to herself.

''I believe in this campaign, I know it's winnable and I'm willing to invest myself in it,'' said Taddeo, adding that she didn't start raising money until mid-February.

She said was ''thrilled'' with the response. ``People are ready for change and they're proving it by contributing.''

Ros-Lehtinen's campaign said she had raised $115,102 for the fundraising quarter that ended March 31 and had $1.7 million on hand.

Ros-Lehtinen said the campaign ``will not be and should not be judged by how many dollars are raised but by my longstanding record of constituent service and the high respect I hold for all in our community.''

Democrats say the numbers show all three are capable of mounting serious challenges to the Republican incumbents, who have faced only token opposition since first elected.

'If anyone was still wondering, it's `game on,' '' said Jeff Garcia, who helped recruit Democratic candidates and works as a media consultant for Taddeo and former Hialeah Mayor Raul Martinez, who is challenging Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart. ``They have all crossed a very important credibility and viability threshold.''

The reports that were due at midnight Tuesday to the Federal Election Commission show all three challengers slightly outraised the Republican incumbents for the fundraising quarter, though they trail in cash on hand.

Martinez outraised Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, pulling in $616,666 to Diaz-Balart's $613,757, though Martinez put $3,512 into his campaign.

Diaz-Balart has more than $1.45 million in cash.

And the reports show former Miami-Dade Democratic party chair Joe Garcia raising $331,385 to incumbent Mario Diaz-Balart's $330,564.

Mario Diaz-Balart has $747,694 on hand.