TALLAHASSEE — Among at least 10 state contractors involved in the creation of Alligator Alcatraz, the facility in the middle of the Everglades the state has built for immigrant detainees, three have given money to Gov. Ron DeSantis or the Republican Party of Florida for statewide campaigns.

The companies and their married chief executives, Carlos Duart and Tina Vidal-Duart, have given a total of $1.9 million to the two state political action committees supporting DeSantis’ bids for governor and to the Republican Party of Florida.

Uthmeier is running in 2026 to keep the job he was appointed to and have some wondering whether he'd face a challenge from other Florida Republicans.