Former NASA Chief of Staff Bale Dalton’s congressional campaign lifted off with around $690,000 in fundraising since the start of his run.
The Sanford Democrat launched a challenge against Republican U.S. Rep. Cory Mills in November, immediately reshaping the contest for Florida’s 7th Congressional District. Dalton followed that up by outraising Mills 5-to-1 in the last quarter of 2025, reporting more than $345,000 for the year despite being in the race for less than two months.
Now, Dalton has raised another $344,000 in the first three months of the new year. He closed the quarter with $460,000 in cash on hand, according to his campaign.
“I’m so grateful for the strong, growing support for this campaign. Cory Mills is an embarrassment to the people of Central Florida — we deserve better,” Dalton said.
“I’m proud of the campaign and coalition that we’re building here at home. Together we’re going to boot out the most corrupt member of Congress in November.”
Mills has yet to announce his fundraising for the first quarter of 2026. But Dalton’s totals exceed what Mills raised in any quarter of 2025.
Last year, Mills peaked in activity in the first quarter of the year when he collected more than $284,000. But much of that predated a series of personal scandals that resulted in multiple threats to censure him on the House floor, including a push by Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina.
Dalton announced his fundraising totals during a big week for NASA. He spoke to Florida Politics the same day of the Artemis II launch, sending astronauts to fly by the moon. He served as Chief of Staff for former NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, former U.S. Senator who has endorsed Dalton’s campaign.
He has also previously stressed his own military background. He served 23 years in the United States Navy, including missions in Afghanistan and Iraq.
