Despite "targeting" state Sen. Mike Fasano's ouster, the Democrats have raised little cash to mount a big campaign against the New Port Richey Republican.

Finance reports today show Fred Taylor -- the party's candidate of choice -- raising $2,660 the last quarter and receiving $17,625, mostly in party support. Overall, Taylor has received $17,285 in cash and almost $38,000 inkind. Another Democrat, Richard Skandera, raising all of his $2,015 from his own pocket.

The winner in their primary gets to face this: A Fasano campaign that raised $57,477 in cash in May and June, topping off his $396,000 total in direct donations and more than $37,000 received in kind. Can you say war chest?

"I think they’re trying to pretend they can beat us, but they can’t," state Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, said recently. "There’s nobody in the Legislature that can compete with how hard Mike Fasano works."

David DeCamp/Times staff writer