Governor candidate Bob White of Suntree holding fundraiser at Titusville gun range

Republican gubernatorial candidate and gun-rights advocate Bob White of Suntree says he believes he has come upon a surefire fundraising approach: Hold a campaign event at a gun range.

On Jan. 20, White will hold his first major fundraiser at the American Police Hall of Fame & Museum in Titusville, which has a shooting range. The event is being called "Get on Target with Bob White for Florida Governor."

For a $100 contribution, attendees can shoot 50 rounds of 9 mm ammo from a provided pistol. They'll also get two targets, as well as eye and ear protection. If they prefer, they can bring their own gear.

For a $150 contribution, they can shoot a fully automatic MP 5 submachine gun.

And, for a $200 contribution, that can get both packages.

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White said the idea for the event venue and format came from two people working on White's campaign — Titusville resident Micah Nix, a 2016 candidate for Brevard County commissioner, and Mims resident Cindy Thompson, who worked on Ted Cruz's 2016 presidential campaign.

"I thought it was a terrific idea," said White, who wants to succeed Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who cannot seek re-election due to term limits. "I think it's going to be great. It's an opportunity to exercise your Second Amendment rights," while supporting White's candidacy and touring a museum focusing on law enforcement.

White is the chairman of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida; chairman of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Central East Florida; and founder and former chairman of the Liberty Catalyst Fund.

The opportunity to "shoot with Bob" on the gun range is from 4 to 6 p.m. (He jokes that it's not a "shoot at Bob" event.)

It will be followed by a meet-and-greet reception with White from 6 to 7:30 p.m., during which he said he will discuss some of the issues he will focus on in his campaign, including economic opportunity, education and health care.

White said there is no contribution required for those who want to attend the meet-and-greet, but not shoot (although he'll gladly accept any contributions).

All attendees to the shooting portion of the event or the meet-and-greet also will be entered in a drawing to win a Diamondback AR-10/.308 semiautomatic rifle or a Ruger 10/22 handgun.

There will be hors d'oeuvres at the event, and attendees will be able to tour the American Police Hall of Fame & Museum, located at 6350 Horizon Drive, just off U.S. 1, in south Titusville.

In addition to Nix and Thompson, White's "host committee" includes Brevard County Property Appriser Dana Blickley, Brevard County Tax Collector Lisa Cullen, Brevard County Clerk of Courts Scott Ellis, Brevard County Commissioner Kristine Isnardi and 18th Judicial Circuit Public Defender Blaise Trettis.

White said all of them are likely to be at the event, along with Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey.

"I'm delighted he will be there," White said, referring to the sheriff', who has widespread popularity in the community.

The website to register to attend the event is www.BobForFlorida.com/on-target/

Packed candidate field

Since announcing his candidacy for governor in May, White has been crisscrossing the state to attend various events and meet with various officials. He says he has added 30,000 miles to his vehicle odometer while campaigning so far.

White is in Orlando this weekend at the Republican Party of Florida's annual meeting, where he will host a hospitality suite.

White is one of 13 announced Republican candidates for governor, among them U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam and former Florida State Sen. Jack Latvala, who recently resigned from the Senate following allegations of sexual harassment, but has not withdrawn from the governor's race. Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran also is a possible — but unannounced — GOP candidate for governor.

White sees the large number of candidates and the large number of undecided voters as an advantage to his chances of winning the Aug. 28 Republican primary.

"It's still a wide-open race," White said. "There are a lot of 'undecideds' " among the Republican voters who will be picking from the candidates in the primary.

"We're the outsider in this race, running against the political establishment," White said. "I'll be the guy who restores the voice to the people in Tallahassee."

There also are six announced Democratic candidates for governor, two "no party affiliation" candidate, one Constitution Party candidates and one Libertarian Party candidate.

Among the more well-known Democratic candidates are Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, business executive Chris King and Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine.

Dave Berman is government editor at FLORIDA TODAY.

His Political Spin column appears Sundays in FLORIDA TODAY.

Contact Berman at 321-242-3649 or dberman@floridatoday.com.

Twitter: @bydaveberman

Facebook: /dave.berman.54