Republican candidate Mariya Calkins continues to add to her fundraising lead, netting $20,000 in May and pushing her total fundraising numbers past $210,000 in her bid for Florida House District 3.

Calkins, a first-time candidate, entered the race to replace outgoing GOP state Rep. Jayer Williamson in January. She launched her campaign after Williamson announced that he would not seek re-election.

“I have been energized by the support I’ve received since the launch of my campaign in January,” said Calkins. “Achieving this fundraising milestone shows the support I knew was possible throughout the district. I look forward to fighting for our freedoms and conservative values in the Florida House.”

The wife of Santa Rosa County Commissioner James Calkins, Calkins was born under the communist government of the former USSR where she says she experienced firsthand the severe restrictions on the freedom and personal liberties under the regime. She became a U.S. citizen in 2018 and served on staff in the Florida Legislature.

She currently holds a fundraising advantage over the rest of her primary opponents, which include Joel Rudman and Robert Orth.

Calkins has also received several political endorsements, including backing from U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, state Reps. Tommy Gregory and Anthony Sabatini, Santa Rosa County Commission Chair Bob Cole, and a host of other local officials.

HD 3 covers portions of Santa Rosa County and Northern Okaloosa County.