Saunders pulls in $56,000 in first weeks of campaigning

After just over a month since he announced his candidacy for the newly created Florida House District 49 seat, Joe Saunders has raised more than $56,000. At press time that total put him on track to be the most successful Democratic fundraiser in the state so far this year.

â┚¬Å”I think people are excited,â┚¬Â Saunders said. â┚¬Å”They are excited to get involved in the campaign and in the central message of putting new and fresh voices in Tallahassee who will change the climate and bring progressive values to the forefront.â┚¬Â

Saunders is known throughout the state for his seven years spent working as a field director with Equality Florida. That name recognition has helped him, no doubt, but so has the youth-driven population of District 49â┚¬â€which has an average age of 35.

â┚¬Å”Most people in the district care about a lot of the same thingsâ┚¬â€that the water they drink is clean, the air is clear and that our government is efficient and effective,â┚¬Â Saunders said. â┚¬Å”They want to make sure their kids are going to schools in a state providing quality public education.â┚¬Â

Saunders added that his â┚¬Å”progressive viewsâ┚¬Â also include fairness for all Florida residentsâ┚¬â€not just those in the LGBT community.

\â┚¬Å”Fairness is a big part of policy,â┚¬Â Saunders explained. â┚¬Å”Across the board, people know that when I'm elected I'll bring a message of fairness for everyoneâ┚¬â€from foreclosures and LGBT equality to fairness in tax policies.â┚¬Â
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everal democratic strategists contacted for this story weren't ready to discuss Saunders' chances just yet, considering only two other candidates have declared their candidaciesâ┚¬â€civil rights lawyer Shayan Elahi, a leading progressive civil rights lawyer, and Rene Plasencia, a Colonial High School teacher and coach.

Candidates have until June to qualify. Saunders, a democrat, said it was his mission to raise as much money as possible right out of the gate to get a jump on any other candidates eyeing the newly restructured district.

â┚¬Å”We hit the ground running and it's been an incredible response,â┚¬Â Saunders said. â┚¬Å”People know I've been effective in my work as a community organizer and that I'd be effective as a legislator.â┚¬Â

Saunders will face a democratic opponent in the August primary. If he wins, he'll face a Republican opponent in the November general election.