Republican Bruno Portigliatti posted a second straight month of campaign fundraising, adding $39,010 in May to its run in what promises to be a very expensive Republican primary election in House District 45.

With this latest stunt, Portigliatti, an Orlando lawyer, businessman and Christian academic executive, raised $155,680 in two months in his campaign and entered May with $137,237 in the bank for his run.

He also held $17,681 in an independent political committee, Freedom and Prosperity Fundalthough this committee did not raise any money in May.

Those totals, however, only put Portigliatti in third place in the money hunt among Republicans in HD 45, the new district serving Walt Disney World and surrounding communities in southwest Orange County and northern Osceola County.

Caroline Amesty and mike zhaoboth from Windermere, each had lighter Mays than Portigliatti, but both kicked off their campaigns by loaning large sums of their own money to their campaigns, giving their official funds huge early balances. Vennia Francois of Windermere hasn’t done badly either, also raising more than $100,000 so far for a Republican primary election fund.

Them and a fifth Republican candidate, Janet Frevolaare battling in the August 23 Republican primary election for a chance to face the likely Democratic nominee, Allie Braswell of the winter garden. He did not fundraise like the four major Republican campaigns, but cemented Orange County’s majority Democratic leadership behind him.

Frevola’s May campaign finance figures were not released as of Friday evening. Until April, she also hadn’t raised funds at any level like her Republican rivals.

HD 45 now includes Walt Disney World, Windermere, part of Winter Garden, Champions Gate, Reunion and part of the Four Corners area.

There is no holder.

Based on the results of the last two general elections, the new district appears fairly evenly balanced between Republicans and Democrats, perhaps giving the Democrats a slight advantage.

In May, all campaigns, including Braswell, began advertising, with signage, internet advertising and at least one mailer. But the expenses had not increased much.

Portigliatti, who entered the race in April and started with more than $100,000 in donations that month, raised 55 new donations, including 33 for the maximum amount of $1,000 last month.

Amesty, also a Christian college leader, began her campaign with a $200,000 personal loan. She has since raised $50,000, including $20,970 in May in 35 donations, including 17 for the $1,000 maximum. Its independent committee Friends of Carolina Amesty added $10,000 last month. Going into June, his campaign official held about $228,000 and his committee about $30,000.

Zhao, a businessman, started his campaign with a $90,000 personal loan. In May, he raised just $1,429 for his campaign through six donations, while his independent political committee, Defending the American Dream, picked up $12,900. Zhao entered in June, his campaign had $163,000 in the bank and his independent committee about $40,000.

François, a lawyer and former congressman, raised $6,710 in May from 18 contributions for his official campaign, while his independent political committee, Families for Freedom, showed no financial activity. She entered June with $108,530 raised and $63,000 in the bank for her official campaign, and another $30,000 held in her independent policy committee.

Frevola entered May with $12,570 raised and around $4,000 in the bank.

The Democrat, Braswell, said he raised $6,340 in 21 donations, including seven for $1,000 in May. His campaign has raised $32,840 so far and entered June with about $23,000 in the bank.

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