Congressional candidates aren't raising money here

It isn't hard to figure out how much money Tom Rooney and Chris Craft have raised in Lake Placid, Sebring and Avon Park.

Since the 2009-2010 election cycle started, Rooney has received a $500 check from Lake Placid real estate agent Hoz Compton, and $250 from Avon Park retiree Mary Ann Romer.

Craft's data from the Federal Election Commission shows zero contributions in Highlands County.

One reason why: Neither candidate has spent much time in Highlands County.

Jeff Ostermayer, communications director for Rooney, R-Tequesta, said the freshman congressman has been in Highlands County six or seven times since he was elected in November 2008.

Craft, D-Lakewood Park, has been in Highlands, but his campaign manager, Jonathan Ducote, could not confirm how many times.

Craft announced in August that he would oppose Rooney. He had been raising funds for five months before the Dec. 31, 2009 deadline.

FEC records show he had gathered $103,000, spent $40,000 and had $65,000 in cash. About $13,000 came from political action committees, the rest from individual contributions. He has no loans.

Rooney had totaled $736,000; about $243,000 came from PACS, and $435,000 from individuals. His campaign has repaid $18,675 in loans, and refunded $1,300. He has $460,000 cash on hand.

Old accounts

Amazingly, two former congressmen, Mark Foley and Tim Mahoney, are still collecting contributions, they're still disbursing money, and Foley still has twice as much cash and Rooney and Craft combined.

Foley, who resigned in 2006 after his sexual e-mails to teenaged House pages were revealed, shows $37,665 in receipts, $23,414 paid out, and $1,219,182 cash on hand.

Mahoney, who was defeated in 2008 by Rooney after the public learned about his adulterous affairs, took in $7,259, paid out $15,623, and has $66 left in his account.

Two former Rooney challengers also have accounts in the FEC database. Hal Valeche still records $682,000 in debts, and Gayle Harrell has $22,034 in debts.

Florida races

In the U.S. Senate race, Republican Charlie Crist has raised nearly $9 million; Democrat Kendrick Meek has $3.5 million, and Republican Marco Rubio has $3.4 million.

Democrat Alan Grayson in the 8th district has raised $2.4 million - tops in Florida's 25 districts. Vern Buchanan, who represents Hardee County, has collected $1.3 million. He is one of only five congressmen who had raised at least $1 million by Dec. 31.