McKenzie kicks off fundraising campaign in District 55 race
ST. PETERSBURG- Last time around, State Rep. Darryl Rouson smoked Charles McKenzie when it came to campaign fundraising.
Now, with McKenzie and Rouson slated to face off again in the District 55 statehouse primary, McKenzie is determined to raise some cash. And he is doing it at Rouson's old stomping grounds.
McKenzie, a longtime educator and pastor, will host a fundraiser Tuesday at the Kismet Old School Cafe in St. Petersburg at 6:30 p.m. On the guest list so far, Council Member Wengay Newton, St. Petersburg Democratic Club President Jim Donelon, former council member candidate Maria Scruggs-Weston and local singer Dawn Willey. Former Council Member Earnest Williams, who came in third after McKenzie and Rouson in the March primary, is also slated to attend and show his support for McKenzie.
During the March special election, Rouson hosted his first major fundraiser at Kismet, a hot spot among the city's movers and shakers, especially affluent African Americans. At the time, owner Ray Tampa was trying to remain neutral in the race, but these days, he is throwing his support behind McKenzie.
Rouson raised nearly $70,000 in the District 55 special election. McKenzie, meanwhile, raked in a little more than $14,000.
The Democratic primary is in August.
-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer
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You folks would better serve your readers if you can wrap yourselves around the understanding that there’s a huge difference between “raising” monies and “receiving” monies, with respect to campaign financing.
Posted by: | July 07, 2008 at 12:06 PM
What????
Posted by: | July 07, 2008 at 10:54 PM
Both of Mckenzie's opponents raised a lot more money,but, he still ran an effective campaign.Hmmm, this is going to be interesting.
Posted by: | July 08, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Yup - he won big everywhere people knew him but got swamped in St Pete. If he can get enough money to get his message out here, watch out Darryl. An August shocker on election night could be in the cards.
Posted by: | July 08, 2008 at 11:57 AM
If Earnest Williams supports him then he's a goner.
Posted by: | July 08, 2008 at 03:08 PM
The Republicans that tell Rouson what to do will make sure he wins
Posted by: | July 08, 2008 at 03:38 PM
...and the Ed Helm loonies like Jim Donelon will keep steering McKenzie into oblivion.
Posted by: | July 08, 2008 at 03:46 PM
Ed Helm only supports McKenzie because one of his parshioners a young black women confessed an affair with Helm and he is holding that over his head.
Posted by: | July 08, 2008 at 10:14 PM
It was a very nice event. I was surprised to see so many Pinellas elected officials and candidates there.
Posted by: | July 10, 2008 at 05:17 PM