Her challenger, Rj Morgan, comes in second in the field of six City Council candidates.
By MOLLY MOORHEAD
Published March 17, 2004
ZEPHYRHILLS - Veteran City Council member Liz Geiger, seeking re-election to Seat 2, leads all six municipal candidates in fundraising.
Geiger, who has served six terms on the council, raised nearly $2,000 in cash, loans and in-kind contributions for her campaign through March 5. Her challenger, Rj Morgan, is not far behind with slightly more than $1,000.
Geiger has collected numerous small contributions, ranging from $15 to $50. Florida Medical Clinic contributed $500 to her re-election effort.
Morgan's campaign, on the other hand, is almost entirely self-financed. He listed loans of $900 and $120 to his own campaign on treasurer's reports filed last week at City Hall.
All candidates for public office are required to disclose their contributions and expenditures. The nonpartisan election is set for April 13.
Mayor Cliff McDuffie has raised more than $1,000, mostly in $10 and $20 contributions. Patrick Graham, the husband of council member Celia Graham, gave $70. A $500 in-kind contribution came from Manolo's Italian Restaurant on Fifth Avenue, which hosted a reception for the mayor last month.
Challenger Louis Colandria, who has been campaigning for nearly a year, listed $773 in contributions. His wife, Darlene, gave a $250 in-kind gift to his campaign, and P & A Liquors Inc. in Tampa contributed $150.
First-term council member Lance Smith listed $300 in contributions, including $100 from Sunrise Rigging on Fort King Road. The challenger for Seat 4, Gina King, has taken in $700, including $200 from her mother, Linda King of Floral City, and $150 from computer specialist Mike McLaughlin of Wesley Chapel.
