- May 3, 2024
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Costello dominates in campaign donations.
As of Sept. 24, Fred Costello has raised $112,625.76, and Noel Cheryl Bickford has raised $10,444.26 in the race for state representative, district 25, but interviews with the candidates show common campaign strategies.
Costello is the Republican candidate while Bickford is a Democrat. Both reside in Ormond Beach and are contending for District 25, which includes Ormond Beach, and then goes down the beachside to also take in Port Orange and New Smyrna Beach.
Both candidates have yard signs and websites. Both have advisors, though Costello has a paid adviser to make suggestions on targeted mailings, etc., and Bickford has volunteers. Costello has mailed a full-color, tri-fold piece to voters, while Bickford says she has a mailer in the planning stages.
Costello, former mayor and city commissioner of Ormond Beach, chairman of Volusia Council of Governments and Volusia Transportation Organization and state representative from 2010 to 2012, has a known voting record. He said donors from around the state who share his political views chipped in to his campaign.
“Most donations are in response to appreciation of my voting,” he said. He also points out that he was endorsed by the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
Bickford said all of her donations are from individuals.
To see who has contributed to a campaign, visit election.dos.state.fl.us/campaign-finance and click on “contribution records.”
Both candidates are busy attending community events and festivals where they can meet the public. Costello said he is spending a lot of time in Port Orange and New Smyrna Beach, where he is less known than in Ormond Beach.
Bickford said she is attending “hobnobs” and a lot of gatherings in homes or restaurants, arranged by her circle of supporters. She said she will also go door-to-door.
While Bickford has not held public office, she said it’s a misconception that she is unknown.
“I’ve been involved in the community for 15 years,” she said.
She has served on the board of directors of O0rmond Memorial Art Museum, Seaside Music Theater, St. James Episcopal School and the Little Theatre in New Smyrna Beach.
She was recently endorsed by the Florida Nurses Association.
Social media now plays a strong role in campaigns. Both candidates reach people by others forwarding email and sharing social media.
Bickford also said her campaign is “extremely grassroots.”
“We are connecting directly with people,” she said.
Costello said when a candidate doesn’t raise much money, they must run a grassroots campaign, but he also said he hopes that people feel he is running a grassroots campaign.
“People call me a career politician, but I’m a career dentist who has been called to serve,” he said.
If elected, he will continue his practice in Ormond Beach.
Both candidates agree on one thing. It’s important for the public to get out and vote on Election Day, Nov 4.
