With Rep. Patrick Murphy (D) vacating his Republican-leaning congressional seat to run for the U.S. Senate, Democrats are hoping to retain the seat, while Republicans are looking to take back the seat that was once considered solid Republican.

Perkins has raised upwards of $700,000 since entering the race, and has sweetened his chances of winning his primary race by garnering the support of the Democratic leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Whip Steny Hoyer, Asst. Leader James Clyburn, and Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra, have all come out in support of Perkins, opening the door for the rest of the Democratic leadership and caucus to follow suit.

Perkins’ campaign is saying that they have more than $2.1 million cash on hand.

That is a lot of dinero.

Former state Representative Carl Domino is running again, this time he is hoping that if he gets past the GOP primary race, he will do better than he did against Rep. Murphy in 2014, where he lost by 20 points.

Attorney Rick Kozell, combat veteran Brian Mast, and Martin County School Board member, Rebecca Negron, are the only other real viable candidates in the Republican congressional primary race to replace Murphy.

Many believe that Mast is the frontrunner considering all of the national attention he has received after losing both of his legs while serving in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. Mast’s story of survival and perseverance is a real tear-jerker that could  translate into big national dollars for the husband and father of three small children.

But even if Mast is the frontrunner, Rebecca Negron is surging a bit, as she has been able to garner several key endorsements, including the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association.