Newsroom
Investigations tied to the public record — organized by the race on your August 18 ballot.
The case against the incumbents
The Case • District 4
Why Joe Has Gotta Go
16 documented reasons, from the $876,356,310 in new spending and debt he voted for — every budget, every bond — to the twice-documented fib. Every line cites the county's own records.
Read the case →
The Case • District 2
Mark Missed the Mark
713 yes votes. 3 no's. The myth of Smith ends August 18. $18 million for two acres, the hometown paper's verdict — the District 2 ledger, itemized.
Read the case →
The Observer · Primary Endorsements · July 29, 2026
Their Own Hometown Paper Just Said It: Don't Re-Elect Them
“Our litmus test is past performance. Smith and Neunder had four years. They should not be rewarded.”
The paper that has covered these neighborhoods since 1995 endorsed the challengers in both races — and named “runaway spending” as the reason. We break it down step by step.
Read the full breakdown →
Head-to-head candidate comparisons
District 4 · Republican Primary · August 18
Neunder vs. DeNiro
Joe Neunder: 866 yes votes, $876,356,310, zero no votes on taxpayer dollars.
Fact Check
The Pinocchio Award: Fact-Checking Joe Neunder's Campaign Mailer
Nine mailer claims, checked line by line against the record.
Jul 30, 2026
Analysis
The $876 Million Man
Joe Neunder ran as a fiscal conservative with no ties to developers. We read every budget, every vote, and every campaign check. Here is what the public record actually says.
Jul 10, 2026
Analysis
What Joe Neunder Cost Your Family
He calls himself a fiscal conservative. But he added $587 million in new spending and debt above what he inherited — about $4,813 for your family of four — and took $197,600 from the developers who profit. Here's what it means for you.
Jul 10, 2026
District 2 · Republican Primary · August 18
Smith vs. Sargent
Mark Smith: 713 yes votes on spending, 3 no votes, $18 million for two acres.
Analysis
Mark Smith's Spending Fire
The District 2 spending record, visualized.
Jul 30, 2026
THE CANDIDATES
Mark Smith Stood Alone for the $7.5 Million 'T-Shirt' Grant
The commission voted 3-1 to cancel a $7.5M grant to a developer-tied nonprofit. Mark Smith was the lone vote to keep it.
Jul 28, 2026
INVESTIGATION
$18 MILLION FOR 2 ACRES: The Seller Paid Half. You Paid Double.
The county agreed to pay $18.1M for a 2-acre boatyard the seller bought for $8.9M — two years earlier.
Jul 16, 2026
Analysis
What Mark Smith Cost Your Family
He knew how to vote no — he did it 28 times. So why did he say yes to $612 million in new spending and debt, about $5,023 for a family of four, and take the developers' money to do it? Here's what it means for you.
Jul 10, 2026
PROFILE
FROM THE U.S. ARMY TO THE BAYFRONT: The Prosecutor Coming for Their Seats
Army veteran and prosecutor Kristina Sargent challenges Mark Smith for District 2.
Jul 1, 2026
ELECTIONS '26
SARGENT vs. SMITH: Army Veteran Prosecutor Against an Architect of Debt
Side-by-side comparison of Kristina Sargent and Mark Smith for District 2.
Jun 25, 2026
INVESTIGATION
4 TO 1: Only Smith Voted Yes. Why?
The plan to let developers rebuild bigger. Rejected 4-1. Smith was the lone YES.
Jun 23, 2026
SCF Wire
Sargent challenges Smith: county budget up 71% since he joined - and he 'voted yes each time'
Web-gathered 2026-06-14. D2 primary coverage: challenger Kristina Sargent (U.S. Army veteran - NEVER 'combat veteran') ties Mark Smith to ~71% budget growth since he joined the board, noting he voted yes each time. NOTE: 71% is the gross-budget figure (HUD-inflated per intel A2) - attribute to Sargent;…
County-Wide Investigations
ANNOUNCEMENT
New Site, New Mission: SarasotaFiscalTruth.com Launches With a $50M–$140M Savings Plan for the County
SarasotaFiscalTruth.com launches with the LGAI Citizens Savings & Efficiency Platform™: $49.85M–$140.5M a year in identified savings across six areas and 20 tactics — without cutting a single service.
Aug 18, 2026
Statement
The Public Record Belongs to the Citizens of Sarasota
They held a press conference to attack the messenger. They did not dispute a single number. Our full statement on the record, free speech, and what comes next.
Aug 15, 2026
INVESTIGATION
Built for the Wealthy. Unaffordable for Everyone Else.
How record spending, rising debt, and resistance to workforce housing are pricing out both the people who work in Sarasota and the fixed-income retirees who already live here.
Aug 13, 2026
Analysis
The Developers' Favorite Son?
Joe Neunder's land-use record and developer money, tested against the official documents — including the one vote that cuts in his favor.
Aug 12, 2026
INVESTIGATION
Neunder and Smith Have Created Financial Ruin for Sarasota County's Working-Class Families and Citizens
Your family of four's share of county spending and debt just hit $24,000 a year — it was $14,600 four years ago. Seven flat years, then the steepest climb in county history, all in the county's own audited numbers.
Aug 10, 2026
Analysis
The Hypocrisy of Joe Neunder
The type of politician that America — and Sarasota — are tired of.
Aug 9, 2026
Analysis
We Got the Numbers Wrong. Sarasota, We Owe You an Apology.
LGAI retracts and restates its published vote totals for Commissioners Neunder and Smith after an internal audit found material errors in our spending and debt figures. The correction, side by side.
Aug 7, 2026
Analysis
The Maximum Allowed by Law: Joe Neunder's Check to Hillary Clinton
FEC records show Neunder gave Clinton the $2,700 legal maximum in 2016 — then ran as a Republican. Plus the verified billion-dollar budget record.
Aug 7, 2026
EDITORIAL
Why Joe Has Gotta Go: 16 Documented Reasons
$7,189 from your family of four. $876,356,310 in new spending and debt. 866 yes votes on your money — zero no votes on any budget, bond, or tax. Sixteen reasons, every one sourced to public record.
Aug 5, 2026
EDITORIAL
Why Commissioner Mark Smith Has Gotta Go: 9 Documented Reasons
713 yes votes on your money. 3 no’s — none of them on a budget, a bond, or a tax. Your family of four’s share of the new spending and debt: $7,189. Nine reasons, every one sourced to public record.
Aug 5, 2026
BY THE NUMBERS
$79 a Second: What County Government Costs You
Your share of the county's debt: $2,278. The county spends $79 a second. What three years of record budgets cost every Sarasota resident.
Jul 31, 2026
INVESTIGATION
THE TWO SARASOTAS: The $80,633 Median Misleads Workers. Here's What They Really Earn.
Average worker: $28.90/hr, 12% below national avg. CNA goes $785 in the hole monthly. Commissioners make $112,580.
Jul 25, 2026
INVESTIGATION
'WE'RE ON A PATH TO DESTRUCTION' — The Commissioner Who Tried to Stop It
Commissioner Tom Knight was the only one who tried to stop it.
Jul 22, 2026
INVESTIGATION
NORTH PORT: A City That Asks Permission
North Port built a city for $6,018/person. The county spends $20,508/family.
Jul 19, 2026
INVESTIGATION
$7.5 MILLION FOR T-SHIRTS: The Grant Nobody Can Explain
$7.5 million in tourism grants — where did the money go?
Jul 13, 2026
INVESTIGATION
FOLLOW THE DEVELOPER DOLLARS: Who Pays Your Commissioners
Follow the money: who donates to Sarasota commissioners and what they get.
Jul 10, 2026
INVESTIGATION
$876 MILLION IN NEW OBLIGATIONS EXPOSED: The Biggest Spending Explosion in the Modern Record
$876 million in new spending and debt since Neunder and Smith took office.
Jul 7, 2026
INVESTIGATION
THE EVIDENCE FILE: Everything We Found. Every Receipt.
The complete investigation: 28 facts backed by 227,637 verified records from 485 official documents.
Jul 4, 2026
EDITORIAL
Joe Neunder Promised Small Government. The Record Shows the Opposite.
Joe Neunder promised small government. The record shows the opposite — the biggest spending surge in the modern record.
Jun 28, 2026
Analysis
Sarasota County Families Can No Longer Afford the County They Built — Audited Records Reveal $876 Million in New Spending and Debt, and Who Voted for It
A fully sourced review of the county’s own audited records — 485 documents, 227,637 financial entries — released by Local Government Accountability ahead of the August 18 primary.
Jun 22, 2026
Every Investigation We've Published
33 stories
- Aug 18, 2026ANNOUNCEMENTNew Site, New Mission: SarasotaFiscalTruth.com Launches With a $50M–$140M Savings Plan for the County
- Aug 15, 2026StatementThe Public Record Belongs to the Citizens of Sarasota
- Aug 13, 2026INVESTIGATIONBuilt for the Wealthy. Unaffordable for Everyone Else.
- Aug 12, 2026AnalysisThe Developers' Favorite Son?
- Aug 10, 2026INVESTIGATIONNeunder and Smith Have Created Financial Ruin for Sarasota County's Working-Class Families and Citizens
- Aug 9, 2026AnalysisThe Hypocrisy of Joe Neunder
- Aug 7, 2026AnalysisWe Got the Numbers Wrong. Sarasota, We Owe You an Apology.
- Aug 7, 2026AnalysisThe Maximum Allowed by Law: Joe Neunder's Check to Hillary Clinton
- Aug 5, 2026EDITORIALWhy Joe Has Gotta Go: 16 Documented Reasons
- Aug 5, 2026EDITORIALWhy Commissioner Mark Smith Has Gotta Go: 9 Documented Reasons
- Jul 31, 2026BY THE NUMBERS$79 a Second: What County Government Costs You
- Jul 28, 2026THE CANDIDATESMark Smith Stood Alone for the $7.5 Million 'T-Shirt' Grant
- Jul 25, 2026INVESTIGATIONTHE TWO SARASOTAS: The $80,633 Median Misleads Workers. Here's What They Really Earn.
- Jul 22, 2026INVESTIGATION'WE'RE ON A PATH TO DESTRUCTION' — The Commissioner Who Tried to Stop It
- Jul 19, 2026INVESTIGATIONNORTH PORT: A City That Asks Permission
- Jul 16, 2026INVESTIGATION$18 MILLION FOR 2 ACRES: The Seller Paid Half. You Paid Double.
- Jul 13, 2026INVESTIGATION$7.5 MILLION FOR T-SHIRTS: The Grant Nobody Can Explain
- Jul 10, 2026INVESTIGATIONFOLLOW THE DEVELOPER DOLLARS: Who Pays Your Commissioners
- Jul 10, 2026INVESTIGATIONThe 2026 Pinocchio Award: Joe Neunder’s Mailers vs. Joe Neunder’s Record
- Jul 10, 2026INVESTIGATIONHe Promised to Fight Inflation. Then Came $876 Million.
- Jul 10, 2026AnalysisWhat Mark Smith Cost Your Family
- Jul 10, 2026AnalysisThe $876 Million Man
- Jul 10, 2026AnalysisWhat Joe Neunder Cost Your Family
- Jul 7, 2026INVESTIGATION$876 MILLION IN NEW OBLIGATIONS EXPOSED: The Biggest Spending Explosion in the Modern Record
- Jul 4, 2026INVESTIGATIONTHE EVIDENCE FILE: Everything We Found. Every Receipt.
- Jul 3, 2026AnalysisSmith vs. Sargent: The Tale of the Tape — District 2 Sarasota County Commission Primary
- Jul 3, 2026AnalysisYou Can't Afford Sarasota Anymore. Joe Neunder's Votes Cost Your Family $7,189. — District 4 Primary
- Jul 1, 2026PROFILEFROM THE U.S. ARMY TO THE BAYFRONT: The Prosecutor Coming for Their Seats
- Jun 28, 2026EDITORIALJoe Neunder Promised Small Government. The Record Shows the Opposite.
- Jun 25, 2026ELECTIONS '26SARGENT vs. SMITH: Army Veteran Prosecutor Against an Architect of Debt
- Jun 23, 2026INVESTIGATION4 TO 1: Only Smith Voted Yes. Why?
- Jun 22, 2026AnalysisSarasota County Families Can No Longer Afford the County They Built — Audited Records Reveal $876 Million in New Spending and Debt, and Who Voted for It
- SCF WireSargent challenges Smith: county budget up 71% since he joined - and he 'voted yes each time'
In the Press
83 of 83 stories
- Aug 10, 2026Herald-TribuneSmith, Sargent seek Sarasota County seat. Here's our choice (opens in a new tab)
- Aug 7, 2026Sarasota/Siesta Key ObserverSarasota County Commission candidates campaign as clock ticks down (opens in a new tab)
- Aug 7, 2026Florida TridentIn Sarasota County Commission race, DeNiro dodges key questions (opens in a new tab)
- Aug 7, 2026Florida PoliticsJoe Neunder hired a developer law firm to silence claims he's bankrolled by developers (opens in a new tab)
- Aug 4, 2026WGCU / Florida TridentAnonymous Wyoming corporation targeting Sarasota County commissioners' race (opens in a new tab)
- Aug 3, 2026Florida PoliticsWho was really behind the elections complaint against Jim DeNiro? (opens in a new tab)
- Jul 8, 2026Florida PoliticsJim DeNiro TV ad hits Joe Neunder over Hillary Clinton donation, developer support (opens in a new tab)
- Jun 19, 2026Florida PoliticsKristina Sargent: Sarasota taxpayers could pay the price for ignoring state law (opens in a new tab)
- Jun 18, 2026Sarasota News LeaderNeunder continues fundraising lead in County Commission races (opens in a new tab)
- Jun 18, 2026Herald-TribuneSarasota County District 2 seat to be decided in August vote (opens in a new tab)
- Jun 17, 2026Florida PoliticsJoe Neunder’s developer money is the story his apologists want voters to ignore (opens in a new tab)
- Jun 15, 2026Herald-TribuneSarasota County politicians must be honest with homeowners | Letters (opens in a new tab)
- Jun 14, 2026Florida PoliticsQualifying reshapes Sarasota ballot, sets GOP-only fight for District 2 Commission seat (opens in a new tab)
- Jun 11, 2026Herald-TribuneDon't be fooled, Sarasota County, on property tax 'reform' | Opinion (opens in a new tab)
- Jun 5, 2026Suncoast SearchlightSmith defends record as Sargent seeks Sarasota County commission seat (opens in a new tab)
- May 28, 2026Florida PoliticsJoe Neunder says he’s not the developer candidate. The receipts say otherwise. (opens in a new tab)
- May 14, 2026Sarasota News LeaderNeunder moves into fundraising lead as candidates vie for 2 County Commission seats (opens in a new tab)
- May 7, 2026Herald-TribuneSarasota County approves $18M waterfront purchase near Siesta Key (opens in a new tab)
- May 7, 2026Sarasota News LeaderJulie London Ferguson files as third candidate for County Commission District 4 seat (opens in a new tab)
- Apr 13, 2026Florida PoliticsHow Commissioner Joe Neunder became a symbol of everything voters distrust in SWFL (opens in a new tab)
- Apr 9, 2026Florida TridentSarasota County blocks 'Live Local' law, risking clash with developers (opens in a new tab)
- Mar 12, 2026Sarasota News LeaderBoth county Commissioners Smith and Neunder facing opponents as they vie for second terms (opens in a new tab)
- Mar 9, 2026Florida PoliticsFlorida Police Benevolent Association backs Jim DeNiro for Sarasota County Commission (opens in a new tab)
- Feb 23, 2026Florida TridentStealth tax proposal surfaces as Sarasota County spending outpaces revenue (opens in a new tab)
- Feb 23, 2026WGCU Public MediaChristine Robinson: Sarasota County has 'a spending problem' as stealth-tax options surface (opens in a new tab)
- Feb 19, 2026Your ObserverSarasota County to purchase $18.1 million waterfront restaurant site (opens in a new tab)
- Feb 16, 2026The Suncoast NewsThe county spending more than they're taking in? — Sarasota County Budget Data Dig (opens in a new tab)
- Jan 16, 2026Your ObserverIncumbent faces early challenge for County Commission District 4 (opens in a new tab)
- Jan 14, 2026Herald-Tribune'Rednecks' and a billionaire. Inside a battle over a Florida dirt road (opens in a new tab)
- Jan 13, 2026Florida PoliticsRetired Police Sgt. Jim DeNiro launches Sarasota County Commission bid (opens in a new tab)
- Dec 22, 2025WMNF 88.5 FMSarasota County approves final phase of Palmer Ranch development (opens in a new tab)
- Oct 17, 2025Sarasota News LeaderHow many Sarasota County Commissioners are millionaires? Here's what each is worth (opens in a new tab)
- Oct 16, 2025Your ObserverRepublican challenger files for County Commission District 2 (opens in a new tab)
- Oct 1, 2025Florida PoliticsKristina Sargent to make the case against Mark Smith in Sarasota Co. Commission Primary (opens in a new tab)
- Sep 30, 2025Your ObserverSarasota County approves $2.52B budget, with boosts for stormwater and sheriff (opens in a new tab)
- Aug 21, 2025Herald-TribuneSarasota County budget talks end with few cuts, $600K school bill on the horizon (opens in a new tab)
- Aug 7, 2025Suncoast SearchlightPriced out: Suncoast renters now must earn $35 an hour to afford a two-bedroom (opens in a new tab)
- Jul 31, 2025Herald-TribuneThe gravy train is over. Sarasota County government needs a crash diet. | Opinion (opens in a new tab)
- Jul 15, 2025Herald-TribuneSarasota County awards $17 million in arts, hurricane recovery grants (opens in a new tab)
- Apr 29, 2025Herald-TribuneSarasota County Commission moves towards increasing affordable housing (opens in a new tab)
- Feb 27, 2025Herald-TribuneSarasota County Commission delays latest Lakewood Ranch Southeast expansion vote (opens in a new tab)
- Feb 11, 2025Florida TridentSarasota County halts massive Hi Hat Ranch land deal (opens in a new tab)
- Feb 10, 2025Florida TridentBehind Closed Doors: Sarasota County's contentious negotiations with a developer (opens in a new tab)
- Sep 10, 2024Herald-TribuneSarasota County Commission passes resolution against Amendment 4; Smith dissents (opens in a new tab)
- Oct 26, 2023Herald-TribuneSarasota County is spending $65 million to renovate a park. Here are the details. (opens in a new tab)
- Jan 12, 2023Herald-TribuneThree Republicans file to run for Sarasota County Commission District 1 in '24 (opens in a new tab)
- Dec 15, 2022Florida PoliticsJoe Neunder, Mark Smith campaigns received support from heavyweights of development (opens in a new tab)
- Jun 9, 2022Herald-TribuneSiesta Key leader Mark Smith enters District 2 County Commission race (opens in a new tab)
- May 3, 2021Florida PoliticsJoe Neunder files for open Sarasota County Commission seat (opens in a new tab)
- Jul 29, 2018Florida PoliticsSarasota Republicans withhold straw poll results amid irregularities (opens in a new tab)