ANALYSIS: Now That We Know What You Are, We Are Just Negotiating Price
Welcome to pay for play in the Southernmost Corrupt City 90 miles north of Havana.
Ed. Note: Nobody else has bothered to follow the money. So here it goes. Sorry it took so long. It will not happen again.
There is an old joke. Several guys were sitting in the Chart Room, talking to a woman of age, asking what lascivious act she would perform for $5 dollars.
Things escalated.
The price went up.
Soon it was $50.
Then it was $100.
The next offer was $500, she shrugged her shoulders and said “OK.”
Heard from the $500 guy, “Well, now that we know what you are we are just negotiating price.”
Kind of seems like business as usual at 1300 White Street.
The Walsh familia, Ed Swift and the Spottswood’s recognize value.
They get what they pay for.
And what they are paying for, is the current béisbol coach’s wife to do their bidding for big business and cruise ships.
Donations well spent.
Now that we know what the mayor is, they are just negotiating price.
Here is the breakdown.
Mayor Danise Henriquez outraised challenger Sam Kaufman during the latest campaign finance reporting period, fueled by large contributions from prominent business figures tied to the tourism and cruise ship industries, while Kaufman relied on a broad base of smaller donations from local residents.
Under Florida campaign finance law, candidates began filing reports every two weeks beginning June 20, a schedule intended to provide voters with more timely disclosure of campaign contributions and expenditures as Election Day approaches. The accelerated reporting schedule offers a more current snapshot of who is financing the campaigns during the final stretch of the race.
The first set of filings show Henriquez raised $13,670 from 13 contributors during the latest reporting period, compared with $4,825.21 raised from 47 contributors by Kaufman.
Henriquez’s average contribution for the period was approximately $1,052 (including credit card processing.)
Kaufman’s average contribution was about $103.
The latest filings underscore the sharply different financial coalitions supporting the two campaigns as the mayoral race enters its final months.
A familiar pattern has emerged yet again.
Henriquez, the Chamber of Commerce darling, continues to raise big money from mass-market hospitality and cruise ship interests.
Her report was dominated by high-dollar contributions from business leaders connected to the Walsh family — of Opal Key, Pier B and Sunset Key Fame.
Patrick Walsh, Mark Walsh, Michelle Walsh, Michael Walsh, Thomas Walsh, Sean Walsh and Camron Walsh — each contributed $1,000. Additional $1,000 contributors included William Wash of Ocean Properties, Michael Lanigan, Anna Falcone and Thomas McMurrain, all of whom have ties to businesses serving Key West’s mouthbreathing tourism economy.
Those 11 donors giving $1,000 each accounted for more than 80% of Henriquez’s fundraising during the reporting period, reinforcing a campaign that has drawn much of its financial support from established tourism and cruise industry interests, many of them based outside Key West.
Kaufman’s filing reflected a markedly different fundraising strategy.
Rather than relying on a small group of high-dollar, big business donors, the campaign reported contributions from 47 donors, many giving $103.25, with most listing Key West or other Lower Keys communities as their residence. The report illustrates a campaign financed largely through smaller-dollar contributions from local supporters, although it also included several donors from outside Monroe County.
Despite being outraised during the latest reporting period, Kaufman continues to hold the overall fundraising advantage.
Henriquez has raised $117,385 and spent $58,740.69 during the campaign.
Kaufman has raised $145,422.69 and spent $87,252.28.
Kaufman’s expenditures during the reporting period included $5,000 for marketing services and $2,880 for advertising. Henriquez’s spending included campaign consulting, advertising and routine operating expenses.
The next campaign finance filings are due in a couple of days, and should reveal some interesting findings following an empassioned plea for $17 donations on behalf of entrenador de béisbol de los Key West Conchs, #17, Ralph Henriquez.
Key West’s primary on Aug. 18 should determine which way City Hall goes — either rushing into the arms of the cruise ship industry once again, or focusing on residents and quality of life.
I don’t care who you vote for. Please just vote. For more information on the 2026 elections, click here.
This is an evolving story. Watch this space.
Maybe the expense by DD for the push poll is in the next expenses…