State Attorney candidates' past financial troubles could hurt campaign

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla.,None — The race for Orange-Osceola state attorney is heating up, but WFTV found out one of the candidates' past financial troubles could hurt his campaign.

Prosecutor Jeff Ashton, who earned more than $120,000 a year when he retired from the State Attorney's Office after the Casey Anthony trial, filed for personal bankruptcy fifteen years ago.

Ashton explained the problems to WFTV.

"That was as a result of a business that my wife at the time had started that we invested heavily in,"  he said.  "I got divorced and bankrupt the same year, so you can draw your own conclusions."

University of Central Florida political science professor Aubrey Jewett said he thinks voters can forgive Ashton for financial problems.

Ashton said he wants to raise $29,000 by the end of the month, but he'll still be well behind incumbent Lawson Lamar, who already has more than $50,000 for his campaign.

One of Ashton's opponents in the race is expected to pick up several endorsements on Monday.

Former prosecutor Ryan Williams is expected to get the backing of several Osceola County community leaders.

The endorsements will be announced at the Osceola County courthouse at 10 a.m.

WFTV