SD 2: Greg Evers Has Strong Financial Advantage

Currently held by retiring Sen. Durell Peaden, R-Crestview, this Senate district contains Holmes and Washington counties, as well as parts of Bay, Escambia, Okaloosa and Walton counties.

With no Democrat in the race, the Republican primary on Aug. 24 becomes even more important, though TEA Partier Christopher Crawford and write-in candidate Margaret Smith await the Republican nominee in November.

In the Republican primary, Rep. Greg Evers of Milton has a very clear advantage in fund-raising and this helped chase away Rep. Dave Murzin of Pensacola, who opted instead to run for Escambia County Commission. Evers has hauled in more than $340,000 and had about $207,000 in the bank on July 16, at the end of the second quarter. Evers faces conservative businessman Mike Hill, who graduated from the Air Force Academy. While Hill has compiled some impressive endorsements, he has not been able to keep pace with Evers in the money chase. Hill has raised more than $57,000 and had around $24,000 on hand at the end of the quarter.