The Florida Democratic Party pumps money into the campaign of Lindsay Cross who faces tough opposition from Ed Montanari

Lindsay Cross at LGBTQ Pride Florida — Lindsay Cross speaks in Gulfport, FL at an LGBTQ Pride event. By Seán Kinane/WMNF News (June 1, 2023).

In what could be one of this year’s most competitive legislative races, Democratic leaders last week sent more than $35,000 in in-kind aid to the campaign of state Rep. Lindsay Cross, D-St. Petersburg.

The Florida House Democratic Campaign Committee, which is chaired by Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, provided $32,500 in in-kind contributions, while the Florida Democratic Party added nearly $2,729, according to a new finance report.

As of Friday, the campaign committee and the party had combined to make a total of $51,696 in contributions to Cross’ campaign in Pinellas County’s House District 60.

Cross is trying to fend off a challenge from Republican Ed Montanari, a member of the St. Petersburg City Council.

As of July 12, Montanari had received $48,500 in cash and in-kind contributions from the Florida House Republican Campaign Committee and the Republican Party of Florida, according to a state Division of Elections database.

Incoming House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, chairs the Florida House Republican Campaign Committee.

Information about contributions last week to Montanari’s campaign had not been posted Wednesday on the state Division of Elections website.