MANATEE COUNTY – Three more Republican candidates seeking office in Manatee County have reported campaign expenditures made to Anthony Pedicini’s Tampa-based Strategic Image Management (SIMWINS) political consulting firm.
Pedicini and his firm utilize television ads and campaign mailers to promote their Manatee County clients as true conservatives while painting their Republican primary opponents who may hold more moderate views as liberals.
During the July 13-19 campaign reporting period, District 3 Manatee County Commission candidate April Culbreath, District 1 County Commission candidate Steve Metallo and District 3 Manatee County School Board candidate Jonathan Lynch listed their first reported campaign payments to SIMWINS, according to campaign treasurer reports on the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections website.
On July 18, Culbreath’s campaign paid SIMWINS $46,802 for campaign mailers and $800 for palm cards. Culbreath’s campaign has sent out numerous mailers since her District 3 campaign began.
On July 15, Metallo’s campaign paid SIMWINS $40,110 for mailers.
On July 15, Lynch’s campaign paid SIMWINS $4,850 for yard signs.
During the same reporting period, Supervisor of Elections candidate James Satcher, District 7 at-large County Commission candidate Kevin Van Ostenbridge and District 5 County Commission candidate Ray Turner made additional payments to SIMWINS.
On July 15, Satcher’s campaign paid SIMWINS $6,484 for text messaging services and $20,000 for a media ad. On July 17, Satcher’s campaign paid SIMWINS an additional $15,000 for a media ad. To date, Satcher’s campaign has reported paying SIMWINS $82,929.
On July 18, Kevin Van Ostenbridge’s campaign paid SIMWINS $95,000 for a media ad. To date, Van Ostenbridge’s campaign has reported paying SIMWINS $193,420.
On July 17, Turner’s campaign paid SIMWINS $48,562 for mailers. To date, Turner’s campaign has reported paying SIMWINS $66,072.
To date, the six Republican candidates have reported paying SIMWINS a total of $434,983.
Mail voting has begun for the primary election that concludes on Aug. 20. In-person early voting will take place at various polling locations Saturday, Aug. 10 through Saturday, Aug. 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Related coverage: Pedicini consulting for Satcher, Van Ostenbridge, Turner
