US Sugar shells out more than $400k in contributions

United States Sugar Corp. made at least $442,000 in state political contributions during the first dozen days of August, with much of the money going to two major business lobbying groups, newly filed finance reports show.

The company sent $315,000 to political committees affiliated with the Florida Chamber of Commerce and another $100,000 to an Associated Industries of Florida committee.

Also included in U.S. Sugar's contributions from Aug. 1 to Aug. 12 were four $500 checks to legislative candidates: Sen. Travis Hutson, an Elkton Republican running in Senate District 7; Rep. Dana Young, a Tampa Republican running in Senate District 18; Sen. Kelli Stargel, a Lakeland Republican running in Senate District 22; and Loxahatchee Republican Rick Roth, who is running in House District 85, the reports show.