Republican Liesa Priddy continues to flex fundraising muscle in the race to succeed Rep. Lauren Melo in House District 82.
Priddy has now raised $216,500 for her campaign, including $65,500 in the most recent quarter, as the race to succeed Melo takes shape.
The fundraising momentum follows recent endorsements from conservative advocacy group Americans for Prosperityand the Associated Industries of Florida, an influential business lobby.
“Liesa Priddy’s distinguished background in business, agriculture, and conservation makes her an exceptional advocate for Florida’s economy and natural resources,” AIF President and CEO Brewster Bevis said in a statement last week. “We know her staunch conservative voice will be an asset to Florida’s business community in the Florida House, and we are proud to endorse her campaign.”
The lifelong Collier County resident has also picked up endorsements from Reps. Adam Botana and Yvette Benarroch, former Reps. Matt Hudson and Joe Spratt, LaBelle City Commissioner Barbara Spratt, Everglades City Mayor Howie Grimm, Everglades City Councilman Mike McComas, Hendry County School Board member Amanda Nelson.
Priddy is one of four Republican hopefuls running for the seat, which covers swath of Southwest Florida, including Hendry County and parts of Collier County. The district is open this cycle because Melo is running for Senate rather than a fourth term.
The current Republican field includes Priddy, Bill Poteet, Drew-Montez Arthur Clark and Hugo Vargas. Poteet’s Q4 report shows $4,525 raised last quarter with $28,372 on hand as of Dec. 31; Clark has raised $12,105 since entering the race in February and finished the year with less than $1,000 in the bank. Vargas’ report in yet available on the Florida Division of Elections website.
HD 82 is a safe Republican seat, with the GOP holding a 15-point registration advantage in the district according to the most recent data from L2. In 2024, Melo cruised with 70% support in a head-to-head with Democratic nominee Arthur Oslund.
