by Glenn Tschimpke
Staff Writer
One inch thick, 151 pages, 1,207 individual donors, $494,191.75.
Mayoral candidate John Peyton (R) submitted his quarterly campaign finance report Monday to the Supervisor of Elections Office, two days before the Wednesday deadline. Although the Gate executive adamantly says he is not a declared candidate, Peyton managed to raise nearly a half-million dollars from local individuals and businesses in the last 90 days.
“His developing a base of support and 1,207 contributors is extraordinary,” said Mike Hightower, co-chair of Peyton’s campaign finance committee. “We had no idea that it would be that way, to be honest with you.”
It wasn’t for lack of effort in Peyton’s camp. With a finance committee of 147 people and Peyton vigorously fund raising throughout March, the son of prominent businessman Herb Peyton was able to call on a vast network of personal and business connections to bolster his campaign bank account.
“With John’s business experience in the corporate world, his demonstrated achievements in the civic community and his volunteer work, I think he has touched a number of people. And when the finance committee reached out, there was a response,” said Hightower.
This is Peyton’s first finance report since opening a campaign account three months ago. His opponents, by comparison, had raised only about half of Peyton’s total. As of Dec. 31, the end of the previous reporting period, Mike Weinstein was the leader at $146,000, Ginger Soud second at $102,000 and Alberta Hipps at $24,000. Their numbers are expected to be larger now, but aren’t likely to be available until Wednesday.
Itemized contributions on Peyton’s report reveal a cross section of Jacksonville’s business community. While most donors gave the maximum $500 individual amount, many business owners found wiggle room in the law that allowed them to give twice: once in their name and once in the name of their business. Contributions came from as far as California, New York and Minnesota. Also, a fair amount of Peyton’s financial supporters reside in Ponte Vedra Beach, which is in St. Johns County.
While admittedly successful, Hightower maintains that he remains “cautiously optimistic” about the future. Peyton doesn’t want to step on Mayor John Delaney’s political toes during the last year of his administration. But he also wants to stay competitive.
“In my role as co-finance chair, I never relax,” said Hightower. “With a year out, it’s not where you start, it’s where you end. It’s going to be a marathon and there’s a fine line that you walk when you’re a year out and you have a very popular, very successful sitting mayor who has a lot on his plate. You need to stay active and stay below the radar.”