The Race to Succeed Term Limited Republican Doug Holder

Sarasota Herald-Tribune, October 12, 2013.

The contest to replace term-limited Republican Rep. Doug Holder in a Venice-area state House seat is shaping up to be a major showdown, with attorney Richard DeNapoli kicking in $150,000 of his own money in the fundraising quarter that ended Sept. 30.

The personal contribution allowed DeNapoli to surge past well-connected Venice orthopedic surgeon Julio Gonzalez in total cash raised. DeNapoli now has $183,840 compared with $120,361 for Gonzalez.

State Rep. Doug Holder (STAFF PHOTO / THOMAS BENDER)

Both men are Republicans in a conservative district that is likely to be decided in the primary.

“I’m making the investment in the campaign and I’m in it to win it,” DeNapoli said Friday after the third quarter fundraising totals were reported.

DeNapoli served as chairman of the Republican Party of Broward County before moving earlier this year to Nokomis, where he practices estate planning and trust law. He entered the House race in August and already has made some important connections. State Rep. Ray Pilon, R-Sarasota, is endorsing the candidate.

To read the full story, click here