Could Tavistock campaign money help Hawkins fend off challengers?
In the final weeks of the primary, influential developer and landowner Tavistock Group has sunk $20,000 into a political committee with ties to Osceola County Republicans.
It’s unclear what the money will be used for, but the contribution to the Responsible Leadership Council of Florida came a day after now-suspended Osceola County Commissioner Fred Hawkins Jr, the Republican front-runner for a Florida House seat representing parts of Osceola and Polk counties, was arrested and charged last month with impersonating a sheriff ’s deputy.
The arrest has put Hawkins of St. Cloud on the defensive in Tuesday’s primary against lesser-known opponents: Dianna Liebnitzky, Bienvenido “Benny” Valentin and Gary Scott. The winner will face Democrat Barbara Cady, and Leroy Sanchez, an NPA, in November.
Tavistock, one of Hawkins’ largest contributors, didn’t answer questions about the July contribution to the committee.
The Responsible Leadership Council hasn’t disclosed yet if or how it has spent the $20,000 from Tavistock. But records show that the committee has raised most of its money in the past from people and businesses with interests in Osceola County – and who have also supported Hawkins’ campaign for the state House.
For instance, the Responsible Leadership Council has raised money from companies led by former Orlando International Airport Chairman and developer Domingo Sanchez of Kissimmee, former Republican state Rep. Mike Horner, former Osceola County Commissioner Randy Shieve, and developer and former Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce board member Ron Howse, as well as more donations from Tavistock. All of them — or their close family members — are also campaign contributors to Hawkins.
Tavistock, a private investment firm that developed Lake Nona on the border of Osceola County and backed a plan to build an expressway through the Split Oak Forest in Orange and Osceola Counties, cut checks last year totaling $10,000 through its affiliated companies to Hawkins’ campaign account. Hawkins, who has also been endorsed by U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and the NRA, said through a campaign spokeswoman that the committee has no affiliation with his campaign.
Tavistock lobbies the Legislature on real estate and development issues among other matters, according to lobbying records.
Hawkins, the far and away fundraising leader with more than $212,000 raised so far, came under fire from two of his opponents in a debate earlier this week.
“It’s the fourth quarter in this game. There are two minutes to go, and you’re seeing the Hail Mary’s launched because you’re running behind,” Hawkins said in a debate last week. “Let me tell you something, we’re going to have the charges dismissed.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis removed Hawkins from his post on the Osceola County Commission last month after he was arrested and charged by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for an incident last year during which the agency said Hawkins showed a “badge” and asserted he was with the Osceola Sheriff ’s Office before pushing past a private security guard to enter a private homeowner’s association meeting. Liebnitzky, the