Sugar Daddies: Florida Crystals execs, other ‘billionaires for Byron’ raise cash for Donalds
Sugar Daddies: Florida Crystals execs, other ‘billionaires for Byron’ raise cash for Donalds
So, did you get your invitation? Or maybe it got lost in the mail.
One thing’s for sure, you don’t want to miss the swanky reception and dinner being held for Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds in West Palm Beach on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Exactly where in West Palm Beach? That’s on a “need to know” basis, and you only need know if you can come up with the $100,000 per person or business entity for the meal. Plus another ten grand if you want the VIP photo. Or you could just attend without the dinner for a mere $5,000.
And why not — just check out these hosts with the most (money, that is):
They include Pepe Fanjul Sr. and his wife Emilia; and Pepe Fanjul Jr. and his wife, Lourdes. The elder Fanjul is CEO of Big Sugar powerhouse Florida Crystals; the younger Fanjul is Executive Vice President.
And in fact, state records show Florida Crystals on Sept. 18 donated $205,000 to Donalds’ “Friends of Byron Donalds” PAC. U.S. Sugar has pitched in $500,000 since June.
Safe to say Big Sugar is squarely in Donalds’ corner.
Other co-hosts include billionaire investor Thomas Peterffy; billionaire casino-and-resort mogul Steve Wynn and his wife, Andrea; businessman Anthony Lomangino and his wife, Lynda; billionaire real estate developer and Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and his wife, Lynn; real estate moguls Blair and Margit Brandt; philanthropist Lynne Wheat; and Miami Dolphins executive Daniel Sillman.
Call it “Billionaires for Byron” — with proceeds benefitting Donalds’ campaign and his PAC.
Honestly, has there ever been anything more politically tone-deaf than this? As the average Floridian wonders how he’s going to pay his insurance premium and struggles to afford gasoline, Big Sugar magnates are gathering with fellow billionaires to gobble caviar, guzzle champagne and fête the candidate most likely to prioritize their concerns over yours.
This is how Big Sugar and Big Money in general keeps an iron grip on Tallahassee — until voters do something about it.