Report Filed as US Rep. Barney Frank Coming to Campaign, Raise Money

Oakland Park – Mark LaFontaine, candidate for Florida House District 92, outraised his opponents in the fourth quarter, according to reports filed with the state yesterday. LaFontaine reported raising $10,051 last quarter; for the year LaFontaine’s total is $26,401.

The filing shows momentum as U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, chairman of the powerful House Financial Services Committee, is coming to Fort Lauderdale to campaign with LaFontaine on Sunday, January 13. Frank oversees the banking industry as Committee Chair, and has lauded LaFontaine, who is openly gay, as “an effective state representative, not just for the LGBT community, but for the broader community as well.”

“I’m gratified my message of fiscal accountability and community activism is resonating across the district,” LaFontaine said. “The property tax and insurance crises in our state have underscored the need to have someone who understands financial issues in the Legislature. As an accountant and financial professional, I will bring needed insight into the process.”

A resident of Broward County since he was six years old, Mark LaFontaine has been active in the local community for years. He is national treasurer of American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER) and president of the local Gold Coast chapter, the largest in the organization. LaFontaine is also a member of the Broward County Veterans Council, and is the only veteran in the race, having served in the US Coast Guard.

Owner of a successful accounting practice based in Oakland Park, LaFontaine is a board member of Oakland Park Main Street, which is guiding that city’s development, and also has been a member of the Fort Lauderdale Audit Advisory Board, which oversees the city’s finances.

Florida House District 92 includes parts of Deerfield Beach, North Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Lazy Lake, Poinsettia Heights, Pompano Beach, Tamarac, Victoria Park and Wilton Manors.

Events Emphasize LaFontaine’s Financial Background, GLBT Support

Fort Lauderdale – U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), chairman of the powerful House Financial Services Committee, will campaign with Florida House candidate Mark LaFontaine (Dist. 92) in a series of events on Sunday, January 13.

Frank will be the special guest at a fundraising brunch at the home of Mike Trost, located at 2024 NE 6th Terrace in Wilton Manors. The event is 11:00am to 1:00pm. Tickets to this small group event are $250 per person. (NOTE: This event is NOT open to press.)

Later in the day Frank will be the special guest at a VIP reception, dinner and show at Lips, the new drag dinner theater in Oakland Park. Featuring a host committee of Broward’s GLBT leaders, the VIP cocktail reception begins at 6:00pm, with dinner and the show following at 7:00pm. Tickets are $75 for the VIP cocktail reception only; $100 for dinner and the show only; and $150 for “the whole package”: VIP cocktail reception, dinner and the show. Lips is located at 1421 E. Oakland Park Blvd. Seating is limited. This event is open to media.

RSVPs for both events can be made at www.MarkLaFontaine.com or by calling 954/651-3147.

“I’m excited Congressman Frank will campaign in Fort Lauderdale to help me get elected to represent District 92,” LaFontaine said. “As chair of the House Financial Services Committee, he knows how important it is to have someone with a financial background like mine in Tallahassee.

“And as the first openly-gay Member of Congress, he understands how key it will be to have an openly-gay member of the Florida Legislature,” LaFontaine continued. “When I’m in Tallahassee, we’ll have an open line to one of the most influential Members of Congress.”

A resident of Broward County since he was six years old, Mark LaFontaine has been active in the local community for years. He is national treasurer of American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER) and president of the local Gold Coast chapter, the largest in the organization. LaFontaine is also a member of the Broward County Veterans Council, and is the only veteran in the race, having served in the US Coast Guard.

Owner of a successful accounting practice based in Oakland Park, LaFontaine is a board member of Oakland Park Main Street, which is guiding that city’s development, and also has been a member of the Fort Lauderdale Audit Committee, which oversees the city’s finances.

The Host Committee for the Lips event includes Oakland Park Mayor Larry Gierer, Adriane Reesey and Ann Perley, Rev. Deacon C.J. Ashton, Bill Vayens and Col. Bob Guida (ret.), Bob Boris, Cynthia Davis, Dean Abbott, Dr. Howard Cunningham, Julie Bruno, Mark Adler, Michael Albetta, Nadezda Martinez, Ron Mills, Kevin Muth, Stephen Gaskill and Donald Smith, Robert Traut, Jean Johnson and Betty Priscak, Waymon Hudson, Barbara and Lloyd Stuart, JD Camp, and Michael Rajner.

Florida House District 92 includes parts of Deerfield Beach, North Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Poinsettia Heights, Pompano Beach, Tamarac, Victoria Park and Wilton Manors.