Remember - we only analyzed state races in 14 of Florida's 67 counties! In those races, we found at least 25 candidates who each accepted thousands of dollars in contributions from groups who have been working to the detriment of Florida's water quality. In total, those 25 state candidates benefitted from nearly $7 million in overall campaign contributions for the 2020 cycle by late September. With that kind of war chest, they make for a nearly unbeatable force in most Florida districts. This doesn't even account for large sums of additional dark money and outside PACs throwing their support behind these types of candidates.

Unearthing a Dirty Dozen

Despite the complexity of tracking special interest campaign financing, there are transactions and perpetrators that jump off the page. South Florida's Ana Maria Rodriguez, in FL Senate race 39, stands out as welcoming hefty sums from corporations and action committees with direct dirty money ties. Rodriguez's total contributions amount to over $728,000 through September 2020, and her campaign reports and voting record show zero attempt to hide her allegiances to big polluters. Jim Mooney in Florida House 120 has not taken as much verified dirty money as his cohort in the Senate, but ties to AIF, Floridians for a Stronger Democracy PAC and other lobbyist groups put him in dubious company. J. David Borrero was also found to have considerable amounts of dirty money.

In conservative Southwest Florida, several long-time representatives enjoy huge contributions and staying power. Senate candidates Ray Rodrigues of Estero, Joe Gruters of Sarasota and Representative Bob Rommel of Naples make up a toxic trio with abysmal records on water quality and pollution enforcement. All three have served multiple terms in Tallahassee.

Across the state in St. Lucie and Palm Beach, Gayle Harrell and Rick Roth are the representatives benefitting the most from dirty money. The same goes for Travis Hutson, Paul Renner and Thomas Leek of Volusia county.

In the water quality embattled Indian River and Brevard Counties, Senator Debbie Mayfield and Representative Randy Fine appear to be the stand-out dirty money denizens. Both played a role in 2020's contentious SB712 "Clean Waterways Act" which focused largely on municipal septic and sewer infrastructure while failing to place any meaningful regulations on big agriculture. Thus it should be no surprise the pair reaped nearly $750,000 in contributions for their efforts.

This is far from a comprehensive report. It's the tip of the dirty money iceberg we've begun to unravel.

Keep in mind these are the people being elected to codify policy on Everglades restoration and hammer out water quality legislation! Special interests' ability to propel their campaigns and political careers should be of grave concern to every Floridian.