DeSantis-tied committees raised $1.5M in a week to fight proposed amendments

State Government

Two political committees chaired by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ chief of staff raised more than $1.5 million from Sept. 14 through Sept. 20, as DeSantis fights proposed constitutional amendments about recreational use of marijuana and abortion rights.

The Keep Florida Clean committee raised $1,301,288 during the period and had about $6.25 million in cash on hand as of Sept. 20, according to a finance report posted on the state Division of Elections website.

Contributions to the Keep Florida Clean committee during the week-long period included $1 million from the St. Petersburg-based group Save Our Society from Drugs and $300,000 from Clearwater resident Patricia Duggan, the report shows.

Meanwhile, the Florida Freedom Fund political committee raised $209,286 during the period and had about $4.95 million in cash on hand as of Friday. Contributions to the Florida Freedom Fund during the period included $100,000 from Palm Beach real-estate developer Stephen Ross, the committee’s report shows.

Both committees are chaired by James Uthmeier, DeSantis’ chief of staff. While DeSantis is not on the ballot this year, he is helping lead opposition to Amendment 3, which would allow recreational use of marijuana, and Amendment 4, which would enshrine abortion rights in the Florida Constitution.