They cut the rate. They collected $64 million more.
Sarasota County Facts
← Newsroom
In the newsOpinionBy SCF Staff · June 17, 2026

THE RECEIPTS ARE PUBLIC. THE VOTES ARE ON THE RECORD.

Florida Politics didn't bury the developer money in a footnote — it's in state campaign-finance filings. When Benderson's project came up, Smith voted no. Neunder voted yes.

This piece is editorial, column, or advocacy reporting. Sarasota County Facts cites factual claims where supported; we attribute — and do not adopt — the author's conclusions.

The story

Peter Schorsch's column ties Neunder to developer contributions including a $20,000 Benderson donation to Conservatives for a Brighter Future, and contrasts votes on Siesta Promenade and Pat Neal's 3H Ranch — Smith no, Neunder yes. The column's opinions are the outlet's; the vote record and finance data are public.

Key quotes

The receipts were not whispered in a dark alley. They were pulled verbatim from the Florida Division of Elections.

Peter Schorsch, Florida Politics · Florida Politics opinion, Jun. 17, 2026

Mark Smith listened to her and voted no. Joe Neunder ignored her and voted yes.

Peter Schorsch, Florida Politics · On Siesta Promenade, Florida Politics, Jun. 17, 2026

Sarasota County Facts is a project of Local Government Accountability (LGAI), an independent Wyoming 501(c)(4) social-welfare organization that conducts forensic analysis of local-government finances. LGAI begins every investigation open-minded, applies a consistent multi-lens method, and lets the public record decide. As a 501(c)(4) LGAI exercises the full range of First Amendment rights available under the law. LGAI has made no endorsement of any candidate to date and expressly reserves the right, strictly on the fiscal record and in its sole discretion, to communicate with candidates and campaigns, to endorse candidates, to state clearer positions, or to take any further lawful action when the facts warrant. LGAI accepts no funding from candidates, political parties, or government. Our only client is the citizen.

For the complete mission, methodology, and editorial standards of the parent organization, visit localgovtinstitute.org.

Awareness & Distribution Notice

Content published by Sarasota County Facts is created to inform the public about the fiscal record of local government. After publication, this content may appear on social media or other platforms through a combination of channels, including paid awareness efforts by Local Government Accountability, organic sharing by private citizens, or republication by third parties. We do not control, and in many cases cannot determine after the fact, whether any particular instance of circulation resulted from a paid campaign, independent citizen sharing, or other distribution. All original findings remain the product of Local Government Accountability's independent research and are governed by the standards and disclaimers published on this site and at localgovtinstitute.org.

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