Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
June 21, 2016 1:00 a.m.
In early February I wrote an article entitled “Follow the Money: Comparing Adkins’ and Burns’ campaigns for School Superintendent.” In that article I pointed out high-level donors to both campaigns and noted the source of high-level campaign contributions. In that article (see citation) http://fernandinaobserver.org/2016/02/05/follow-the-money-comparing-adkins-and-burns-campaigns-for-school-superintendent/
I noted that as of that writing, the Adkins campaign had raised over $72,000 from 185 contributors, and that the Burns campaign had raised over $37,000 from 130 contributors.
As the primary election looms, I decided to see how campaign finances have changed for both campaigns since then. Since the last article, there have been an additional four reporting cycles. During that time, Adkins raised an additional $17,161 in cash contributions, while Burns raised $15,565. It should be noted that as a member of the Florida Legislature, Adkins was prohibited from raising money in February because the legislature was in session. Also during this 4-month period, Burns loaned her campaign $4,000.
The Adkins campaign recorded 56 more individual cash contributions, with 30 coming from within Nassau County and 26 from outside the county. The Burns campaign listed an additional 68 such contributions, with 62 coming from inside the county and only 6 from outside.
Adkins listed only ten cash contributions of less than $100; Burns recorded 28, half less than $25 and half between $26-99. The largest single category of donation for both camps was the $100-249 range, where Adkins recorded 20 and Burns recorded 23.
The Adkins campaign continued to lead the Burns campaign in highest amount cash contributions. Their 26 contributions over $250 were evenly split between county and non-county donors. The Burns campaign recorded 17 contributions over $250, with all but 3 coming from Nassau County donors.
There will be two additional reporting cycles (June and July) before absentee ballots are mailed. Whichever candidate wins the primary will face off against the Libertarian candidate Cheryl James in November. James has reported no financial activity since January.
Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.
Why would a candidate seek contributions for a County seat from sources outside the county? I mean what interest does Citizen for United for Liberty in Brooksville or Waste Managment in Pompano Beach have in Nassau County? Interesting…..
“Why would a candidate seek contributions for a County seat from sources outside the county?”
Perhaps to repay a favor from the recent legislative session. As the headline says, follow the money.
One must also consider that Doug Adkins is in the senior care business which represents a number of the contributions. In politics, it’s who you know when it comes to money raising.
For Charter School Corporations throughout the State, and around the Country. It’s Money well spent. Do you think, there may be a reason, they are Heavily Invested in the Adkins Campaign for Nassau County, Superintendent of our School,? No one throws money away.
The money trail is disturbing, but not surprising. Janet Adkins is a career politician who has run up against term limits for her House seat . . . . so she apparently thinks that this political skill set will be an asset for the position of Superintendent of Nassau County Schools. NOT. The most disturbing contributions to her campaign are from the charter schools corporations based in south Florida. Just wondering what kind of pay-back they expect if she is elected!
Nassau County has one of the best school systems in the state, due to the talent and hard work of the past administration. Our retiring Superintendent endorsed Kathy Burns as someone with is infinitely qualified and has a proven successful track record in our county schools . . . our students deserve to continue with a professional educator in the Superintendent’s seat.
Well said. The quality of our schools will determine the quality of our lives for the next generation.