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In the newsBy SCF Staff · December 15, 2022

Campaigned on the people. Funded by the developers.

The public campaign-finance record shows development money flowing to Neunder and Smith — followed by votes for new buildings and land deals. No crime is alleged; the record speaks for itself.

Campaign FinanceDevelopmentJoe NeunderMark Smith

The story

Florida Politics reported on the development money behind Joe Neunder and Mark Smith. The public finance record shows real-estate and development interests among their largest backers — and the votes that followed include a ~$100.2 million administration center and multimillion-dollar land deals. The commissioners campaigned as champions of ordinary residents. The documented record shows who funded them and how they voted: part of $876 million in new spending and debt over three years, about $7,189 per family of four. This is a hypocrisy of priorities, drawn entirely from disclosures and minutes — not an allegation of wrongdoing.

From Florida Politics's reporting

Florida Politics reported that development-industry money figured prominently among the contributions to Commissioner Joe Neunder's campaign — a record his critics say voters should weigh.

Key quotes

“absolutely not”

— Mark Smith · On developer donations affecting his votes, Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Dec. 15, 2022

By the numbers

  • 373

    In 2022, Mark Smith won District 2 by 373 votes — 19,148 to 18,775 (50.49% to 49.51%) — out of nearly 38,000 ballots cast.

    Mark Smith won his seat by 373 votes. Your turnout decides this.

  • ZERO

    Across every record budget and every bond issuance from FY2022 through FY2025 — through a 48% spending surge and a 76% debt increase — the record shows no budget or bond dissent from either commissioner.

    Not one vote against a budget or a bond.

Read all 28 facts →

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Sarasota County Facts — Follow the Money. Know the Truth.