Republican House District 74 candidate Jennifer Winkler is reporting a sharp uptick in fundraising as the GOP Primary field continues to take shape.

Winkler announced that she has raised nearly $105,000 between her campaign account and her affiliated political committee, Friends of Jennifer Winkler, since entering the race. That total includes roughly $50,000 raised during the fourth quarter of 2025, according to figures released by the campaign.

Winkler’s campaign brought in nearly $26,000 during the final quarter of the year, while her political committee raised just over $24,000. Winkler’s campaign said she has now surpassed the $105,000 mark heading into 2026.

“I am truly humbled by the incredible support and financial backing from so many friends and neighbors across our community,” Winkler said in a statement.

“Together, we have a clear mandate to keep Florida’s economy charging ahead while working to keep housing and insurance costs down for our residents. This campaign is all about connecting with every corner of our community and earning the trust of those looking for an effective representative in Tallahassee, and we are just getting started!”

Winkler is seeking the Republican nomination for HD 74. The seat will be open in 2026 due to incumbent James Buchanan facing term limits. Buchanan has filed to run for Senate District 22 that will be vacated by Sen. Joe Gruters, who is term-limited himself and recently took up the mantle as Chair of the Republican National Committee.

Winkler joins a crowded GOP Primary field that includes Kelly Ann Walker, Nick Pachota, Chris Felder and Les Nichols. Walker recently reported more than $250,000 cash on hand between her campaign and committee. Pachota has raised $89,035 as of September, while Felder has raised $3,883 and added $1,300 in loans. Nichols has raised $6,937 and taken $4,250 in loans as of December. That’s all according to their most recent reports or news releases.

Buchanan has already endorsed Pachota in the race.

The district spans communities across Sarasota County, including Sarasota, North Port and Venice. Republicans make up roughly half of registered voters in the district, with Democrats accounting for about 23% and the remainder registered as unaffiliated or with minor parties.

Winkler owns and operates The Peeples Insurance Agency, an independent insurance business she founded in 2014. Her campaign has emphasized small-business experience, workforce development, housing affordability and health care costs. She has lived in Sarasota County since 2010, is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, and “is the proud mom of two sons, Logan and Luke.”

The winner of the Republican Primary will advance to the General Election, where Democrat Nancy M. H. Simpson has filed, though additional candidates could still enter the race.

Florida’s rural hospitals are set to receive a major boost following the federal government’s announcement last week that the state will receive a $209 million award through the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) for fiscal year 2026.

The Florida Hospital Association (FHA) applauded the award earlier this week, calling it the largest single federal investment in rural health care in the state’s history. The program is designed to improve access to care, modernize technology, strengthen the health care workforce, and drive innovation across Florida’s rural communities.

“Florida’s rural hospitals are lifelines in their communities, providing access to care for the families who live in rural areas,” said Mary C. Mayhew, president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association. “This critical funding not only sustains these essential lifelines but strengthens them. By building a stronger workforce, implementing modern technologies and establishing collaborative partnerships across rural care providers, we can better meet the needs of every community from the Panhandle to the Glades.”

Florida is a major beneficiary of the nationwide effort to improve rural health care delivery. The RHTP will distribute a total of $50 billion nationally — $10 billion annually from 2026 through 2030 — to states approved for participation, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Florida’s $209 million award represents the first tranche of funding under the five-year grant program.

The RHTP was established under the One Big Beautiful Bill, which was signed into law on July 4, 2025. FHA cited its collaboration with a broad group of stakeholders to produce more than 60 pages of data analysis and recommendations for the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) to consider as part of its application for federal funds.

AHCA is expected to seek legislative approval to expend the awarded funds. Once approved, the agency will issue a Request for Application, allowing regional collaboratives across the state to submit grant proposals in the coming months.

Florida’s rural hospitals continue to face significant challenges, including rising costs and low occupancy rates. Ensuring their long-term viability and preserving timely access to care for rural residents remain top priorities for FHA. Over the past 20 years, five rural hospitals in Florida have closed, and three others have transitioned to emergency- or urgent-care-only facilities.

“Floridians deserve timely access to quality care, no matter where they live,” Mayhew said. “The Rural Health Transformation Program provides a comprehensive framework and an influx of resources to ensure rural residents are not left behind as Florida’s health care system evolves.”

Democrat Noah Widmann has ended his challenge of U.S. Rep. Cory Mills. Instead, the lawyer is endorsing former NASA Chief of Staff Bale Dalton, who entered the race in November.

In a statement, Widmann spoke about his family as he ended his candidacy.

“I ran for Congress to deliver real, honest leadership to Central Florida. I grew up on food stamps and Medicaid, working nights to get through college and support my daughter, and throughout this campaign I’ve heard countless stories from our neighbors in this community about the economic pain they’re feeling right now,” Widmann said.

“There is no higher priority than defeating America’s most corrupt Congressman Cory Mills and flipping control of the House of Representatives to Democrats so we can finally deliver relief to the residents of this district. A contested primary only makes that harder. To that end, I spoke with Bale Dalton today about our shared desire to tackle high costs, restore recently cut health care, and secure retirement for folks in our community and I’m proud to endorse his campaign.”

Mills remains the subject of a House Ethics investigation involving accusations he profited from defense contracts while serving in Congress. It was recently expanded to include investigations of sexual misconduct. That includes allegations from girlfriend Sarah Raviani that he assaulted her in their shared Washington apartment, accusations she later recanted, and from ex-girlfriend Lindsey Langston that he threatened to share intimate photos after a breakup.

The House Ethics Committee named an Investigative Subcommittee regarding Mills’ case. That includes Republican U.S. Reps. Andrew Garbarino and Rudy Yakym, as well as Democratic U.S. Reps. Ayanna Pressley and Suhas Subramanyam.

Widmann filed to challenge Mills in May and quickly emerged as a fundraising leader in the race, outraising Mills in two consecutive quarters.

As of the end of September, Widmann had more than $197,000 in cash on hand compared to Mills’ $134,000.

Dalton, who will file his first fundraising report this month, jumped into the race touting his experience as a Navy veteran in Iraq and his work with NASA. He quickly announced the endorsement of former U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, who served as NASA Administrator under President Joe Biden.

Now he has Widmann’s support as well.

“Bale shares the urgency of this moment and the commitment needed to win in November. I encourage my supporters to stand with him as we work together to take back the House,” Widmann said. “I’m incredibly proud of what we built together and deeply grateful to the thousands of supporters who believed in this campaign from day one.”

Dalton welcomed the support.

“I’m honored and grateful to receive Noah’s endorsement. Thank you, Noah Widmann, for your support — and for your commitment to the place we both love and call home,” he posted on X.

Florida’s 7th Congressional District is one of four GOP-held seats in Florida listed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee as a “district in play.”

Dalton faces Jennifer Adams, Mills’ 2024 opponent, and fellow Navy veteran Marialana Kinter in a Democratic Primary.