Destinie Baker Sutton raises $42K in first quarter running open House seat in central PBC

She raised more last quarter than her 2 opponents have raised since they entered the race last year.

Democratic lawyer Destinie Baker Sutton has charged to the front of the fundraising race for an open seat representing central Palm Beach County with a more than $42,000 haul in two months.

Between when she filed in January to vie for the soon-to-be-open seat representing House District 89 and March 31, she stacked more than the combined holdings of two other candidates who have been running since last year.

In total, 125 people gave to her campaign last quarter through checks of $10 to $1,000. Her average donation was $339.

Democratic nonprofit executive Debra Tendrich, who previously ran for the Delray Beach City Commission, raised nearly $6,000 and spent close to $8,000 in the first quarter. She’s collected about $21,000 since entering the race in July.

Republican Daniel Zapata, a local private school administrator, turned in his best quarter of fundraising in Q1 with an almost $12,000 haul. He also spent $2,500. Altogether, he’s raised $15,000 since filing last March.

Bakers Sutton said she’s “excited and humbled” by the support she’s received so far, which also includes endorsements from U.S. Reps. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and Lois Frankel, Broward County State Attorney Harold Pryor Jr., West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James, West Palm Beach Commissioner Shalonda Warren, Haverhill Councilwoman Theresa Johnson, Westlake Council member Charlotte Leonard and the Fraternal Order of Police, among others.

“This early momentum is a testament to the fact that people are investing in our grassroots campaign,” she said. “Together, we’re ready to tackle the critical issues that affect District 89 and our state. I am ready to keep up this incredible energy and create positive change.”

Baker Sutton, Tendrich and Zapata are running to succeed term-limited Palm Beach County Democratic Rep. David Silvers.

Lately a toss-up district, HD 89 covers a large inland portion of Palm Beach County stretching east from Greenacres to Lake Worth Beach, north from Atlantis to Cloud Lake and containing Lake Clarke Shores and Palm Springs.

Its noteworthy landmarks include the Atlantis Country Club, Palm Beach County Park Airport, Palm Beach State College West Palm Beach Golf Course and the Trump International Golf Club.

Candidates faced a Wednesday deadline to report all campaign finance activity through March 31.

Former prosecutor Destinie Baker Sutton launches bid for open House seat in central PBC

‘I’m focused on getting things done that improve the lives of everyone who calls Florida home.’

Lawyer and Palm Beach County native Destinie Baker Sutton hopes to apply her legal expertise in the Florida Capitol.

She’s running to succeed term-limited Palm Beach County Rep. David Silvers, a fellow Democrat, in House District 89.

Baker Sutton filed paperwork this week to seek Silvers’ seat after almost two decades working in law, the majority of which in government.

She worked for 11 years in the Palm Beach State Attorney’s Office, including time as a special prosecutor in its Organized Crime Unit, and three years as an Assistant County Attorney for the Palm Beach Commission.

In 2019, she went into private practice with Destinie Law P.A., a legal firm specializing in eminent domain, personal injury and criminal defense cases.

Now she wants to have a hand in crafting the laws she worked to uphold since 2005.

“Throughout my career of community service, I have witnessed the positive impact we can have when we work together. Building on … Rep. David Silvers’ success, I am ready to put my experience, passion for service, and dedication to our community to work for the people of District 89,” she said in a statement.

“I’m focused on getting things done that improve the lives of everyone who calls Florida home. Together, we can create a better community providing opportunities for all.”

Baker Sutton has served in leadership roles with the Palm Beach County Bar Association, Palm Beach County Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers and the Florida Board of Bar Examiners, to which the Florida Supreme Court appointed her last year.

She is also a founding member of the Palm Beach County Sheree Davis Cunningham Black Women Lawyers Association, for which she currently serves as President.

During the 2023 Florida Bar Convention, the Florida Association for Women Lawyers awarded her “Leader in the Law” honors.

Her community involvements include board service with the Boy Scouts of America Gulf Stream Council, where she leads an initiative to eliminate financial barriers to scouting for underprivileged kids, and volunteer work with the Children’s Home Society, ST. George’s Table and C.R.O.S. Ministries.

Baker Sutton will face at least one Primary opponent: Deborah Tendrich, a past Delray Beach City Commission candidate and the founder-director of the nonprofit Eat Better Live Better.

Between when she filed to run in July and Dec. 31, Tendrich raised about $15,000.

One Republican is also running: Daniel Zapata, a local private school administrator who filed in late March and collected just shy of $3,000 by New Year’s Eve.

Lately a toss-up district, HD 89 covers a large inland portion of Palm Beach County stretching east from Greenacres to Lake Worth Beach, north from Atlantis to Cloud Lake and containing Lake Clarke Shores and Palm Springs.

Its noteworthy landmarks include the Atlantis Country Club, Palm Beach County Park Airport, Palm Beach State College West Palm Beach Golf Course and the Trump International Golf Club.

Destine Baker Sutton adds throng of endorsers to her HD 89 campaign

‘These endorsements reflect the shared vision we have for a stronger, more inclusive District 89.’

Former prosecutor Destinie Baker Sutton is heading into qualifying week with a plethora of endorsements, including nods from many current and past public officials in and around Palm Beach County.

Baker Sutton’s campaign said more than 150 people are now backing her bid to succeed state Rep. David Silvers, a fellow Democrat, in House District 89.

Eighteen of them hold or held elected office.

That includes several newly announced endorsers like Miami state Rep. Ashley Gantt, Pahokee Mayor Keith Babbs, South Bay Mayor Joe Kyles, Belle Glade Mayor Steve Wilson, Haverhill Vice Mayor Lawrence Gordon, North Palm Beach Vice Mayor Deborah Searcy and West Palm Beach Commissioner Christina Lambert.

Former state Reps. Joe Gibbons and Addie Greene and ex-Palm Beach County Commissioner Melissa McKinlay have gotten behind Baker Sutton as well, her campaign said.

They join several endorsers she announced in April, including U.S. Reps. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and Lois Frankel, Broward County State Attorney Harold Pryor, West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James, Haverhill Council member Theresa Johnson, West Palm Beach Commissioner Shalonda Williams, Westlake Council member Charlotte Leonard and former Westlake Vice Mayor Katrina Long-Robinson.

Women’s Issues NOW and the Fraternal Order of Police have also endorsed her.

Baker Sutton also shared a list of 139 “community leaders” who have thrown support behind her campaign too. An overwhelming share of them live or work in or a short drive from HD 89.

“Receiving such overwhelming support from a diverse group of leaders and organizations is incredibly humbling and energizing,” Baker Sutton said in a statement.

“These endorsements reflect the shared vision we have for a stronger, more inclusive District 89. Together, we will continue, focusing on creating opportunities and improving the quality of life for all.”

Baker Sutton, who went into private practice in 2019 after more than a decade of government legal work, is set to take on nonprofit executive Deborah Tendrich in the Aug. 20 Democratic Primary.

One Republican is also running: Daniel Zapata, a local private school administrator.

Lately a toss-up district, HD 89 covers a large inland portion of Palm Beach County stretching east from Greenacres to Lake Worth Beach, north from Atlantis to Cloud Lake and containing Lake Clarke Shores and Palm Springs.

The qualifying period for state office candidates runs from noon June 10 to noon June 14.

The General Election is on Nov. 5.