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Frank White throws in more money for ad in Florida attorney general race

White, a state House member from Pensacola, faces state Rep. Jay Fant, R-Jacksonville, and former Judge Ashley Moody of Plant City in a Republican primary.
 
Published June 7, 2018

Republican attorney general candidate Frank White, his campaign boosted with another $1.25 million of his own money, has announced a four-week, $1 million ad buy for his first campaign commercial.

The campaign says it's the start of a plan for "a sustained television presence for the White campaign through primary election day on August 28."

White, a state House member from Pensacola, faces state Rep. Jay Fant, R-Jacksonville, and former Judge Ashley Moody of Plant City in a Republican primary.

The ad, "Hold Accountable," includes what could be a veiled shot at Moody by referring to "liberal judges." Moody leads in the race in endorsements and fundraising from sources other than her own money.

The ad also lines White up with Gov. Rick Scott and President Donald Trump in advocating term limits.

It consists of White speaking into the camera, plus shots of White, his wife and their three sons outdoors.

"Liberal judges and elites threaten the constitution and mock our values," White says.

"We need a principled conservative who will stand up for us and hold politicians accountable. That's why I believe in term limits and trusting people over politicians."

White previously gave his campaign $1.5 million in money his wife, who comes from a wealthy family, put into a joint account with him shortly before he made the contribution. It was reported as a campaign contribution from himself.

His wife would not be allowed to make a direct contribution over the $3,000 limit that applies to all contributions from anyone but the candidate.

Campaign finance experts say if she provided the money for the purpose of putting it into the campaign, it could still violate campaign finance laws.

The White campaign didn't immediately respond to questions about the source of the money for White's most recent contribution.

Counting his own contributions, White leads in campaign fundraising in the race.

He had raised about $2.1 million by the end of April, before the new contribution of $1.25 million in May.

Moody had raised about $1.8 million by the end of April including about $260,000 in party support, and Fant about $1 million, including a $750,000 loan from himself.