Businessman Peter Vivaldi had less than half a month, but still posted impressive numbers.
By Jacob Engels
After announcing his bid for State Senate District 15 in early April, Peter Vivaldi has been raising some serious cash.
According to campaign finance reports, Mr. Vivaldi, a former youth pastor turned executive, raised $8,011 during the final 15 days of April.
Vivaldi, a Republican, will face Democrats Bob Healy or Victor Torres in the general election.
Healy and Torres are facing off in the Democratic primary and no current fundraising reports for April were available on the Florida Division of Elections website.
The fact that Vivaldi started off with an impressive haul sends a strong message, as he aims to flip Democratic State Senator Darren Soto’s into the Republican column.
“Peter is well known in the district. This was the perfect time for him to run,” observed a lobbyist based in Tallahassee.
Notable contributors included Orlando City Commissioner Jim Gray and Osceola County GOP Chairman Mark Oxner, Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn, Orange County Commissioner Pete Clarke, former Orange County Clerk of Court Eddie Fernandez, and former State Represenative Tony Suarez.
Funspot Owner John Arie and his wife Lois each donated $1,000.00 to Vivaldi’s campaign, while former Orlando Mayoral candidate Paul Paulson donated $150.00.
The lone expenditure from Mr. Vivaldi’s campaign went to veteran GOP consultant Brett Doster’s Front Line Strategies, listed as a consultant fee.
Doster is a former top aide to Jeb Bush.
Senate District 15 contains large parts of the congressional district Vivaldi ran for in 2014, where Vivaldi is expected to do very well in during the 2016 election.
A source close to Vivaldi confirmed that an exciting announcement was on the way in “the next few days.”
You can visit Peter Vivaldi’s website by clicking here.
Jacob Engels, is the Founder of East Orlando Post & Seminole County Post. He is a seasoned political operative who has led numerous statewide political groups and has worked on several high-profile local, statewide, and national races. Jacob has been interviewed on national television & radio programs, with his work having been featured in the Orlando Sentinel, New York Times, Washington Post, Miami Herald and other publications nationwide. He can be reached at info@eastorlandopost.com
