Feeney Outraised For Second Straight Quarter

For the second straight quarter, Rep. Tom Feeney (R-Fla.) was outraised by his Democratic opponent, former state Rep. Suzanne Kosmas, and the three-term lawmaker now is trailing her in campaign cash.

Kosmas’ consistently strong fundraising puts her in excellent shape financially. She ended June with $925,000 in her campaign account after raising $475,000 in the quarter.

Feeney reported a successful fundraising quarter of his own, raising $400,000 over the last three months, nearly double his haul last quarter. He has about $780,000 cash-on-hand.

Democrats have been bullish about their ability to oust Feeney because of his past ties with jailed lobbyist Jack Abramoff. In 2003, he took a golf trip to Scotland financed by Abramoff, which he has admitted was a mistake. The Justice Department has contacted Feeney about the trip, and Feeney has said he is cooperating with authorities.

Feeney has denied any wrongdoing. Last June, he established a legal defense fund to help handle expenses related to the case.

His Orlando-based district leans Republican, giving President Bush 55 percent of the vote in 2004. Feeney drew the district for himself when he was state House speaker, and has coasted to re-election in all his campaigns to date.

But like many suburban and exurban districts in rapidly growing Florida, an influx of new residents is changing the complexion of the electorate there, offering Kosmas hope for an upset.