Wayne Richter raises $82K in first month running to flip HD 85

Democratic lawyer Wayne Richter had a successful opening round of fundraising in his bid to flip the Treasure Coast’s House District 85 blue in November.

Between when he launched his campaign in late February and March 31, Richter amassed more than $82,000 through a blend of personal checks and business contributions — mostly from the legal profession — and a $4,000 self-loan.

He also spent close to $15,000 on fundraising event costs, campaign signs, donation-processing fees, bank fees and a $2,000 donation to Emily Gregory, who became the first Democrat this century to win nearby House District 87 last month.

Richter, who entered April with roughly $69,000 on hand between his campaign account and political committee, Restore Our Community, called his opening haul “a clear sign that people are ready to return to serious, responsible and commonsense leadership.”

“I’m humbled by the overwhelming support our campaign has received from this community — across county and party lines,” he said in a statement.

“As a first-time candidate, I’ll bring a fresh perspective grounded in real-world experience and a clear understanding that political showmanship and ugly discord are not solutions to the challenges we all face. Rising health and property insurance costs, a strained education system and unchecked overdevelopment demand thoughtful, practical responses. In the State House, I’ll confront these issues with a pragmatic, knowledge-based approach that restores accountability, confidence and stability in state government.”

Richter is currently the only Democrat running in HD 85, an area spanning parts of Martin and St. Lucie counties that term-limited Palm City Republican Rep. Toby Overdorf has represented since 2018.

As the field stands now, Richter will face one of two Republicans: Port St. Lucie Council member Anthony Bonna, a Realtor by trade, and lawyer Thomas Colter, who raised about $175,000 and $25,000, respectively, through Dec. 31.

First-quarter fundraising reports are due Friday. Bonna and Colter’s reports were still pending as of press time.

The Primary is Aug. 18, followed by the General Election on Nov. 3.