Fentrice Driskell continues to outpace Michele Rayner in cash race for SD 16

House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell continues to outpace Rep. Michele Rayner in the high-profile Democratic Primary to succeed Darryl Rouson in Senate District 16.

Driskell’s campaign account brought in more than $22,000 during the first quarter of 2026, pushing her campaign’s total to just under $160,000 since launching her bid. She has spent about $104,000, leaving about $56,000 in cash on hand.

Political committees supporting Driskell hold an even more significant financial advantage. The Fentrice for Florida PC raised about $12,200 in the first quarter, bringing its total fundraising across the $1 million mark for the first time since its inception in October 2023. The modest amount follows a six-figure fourth quarter in 2025, where the PC raised more than $150,000.

The PC has spent about $837,000 overall, leaving about $167,260 available for the ongoing campaign.

Driskell’s second committee, How We All Win, reported no new contributions in the first quarter of 2026. The PC has raised about $520,000 since its inception in August 2021, but holds under $1,000 following recent expenditures.

Rayner’s campaign, meanwhile, raised just over $5,100 in the first quarter of this year. Her campaign has raised about $71,500 in total, but has already spent about $64,500 — leaving about $7,000 in cash on hand for the campaign.

Her affiliated PC, Florida Always and Forever Ours, brought in $9,600 during the quarter. The committee has now raised roughly $223,000 overall since Sept. 2020, though much of that has already been spent. Records show roughly $22,400 in the PC account.

The disparity between the two candidates is not new, but the latest reports reinforce how lopsided the financial gap between the two Democratic Representatives has become in a race that is likely to swing blue on Election Day.

Despite the gap, the race remains politically competitive. Driskell, the current House Democratic Leader, enters the contest with strong support from party leadership and a fundraising network capable of sustaining a long campaign. Rayner, a civil rights lawyer with deep ties to progressive activists, will likely continue consolidating support from the party’s left flank. Her grassroots ties in the community are also likely to mobilize voters on her behalf regardless of budget.

With no Republican currently filed in the heavily Democratic district, the Primary is poised to determine who succeeds Rouson — who leaves an imprint as a well respected Democratic leader among both aisles of the Legislature.