As of Friday morning, at least nine individuals have filed to run in the upcoming election for two different seats on the Marion County Board of County Commissioners.
Since Ocala-News.com first reported that six candidates were vying for the seat last fall, that number has grown by 50%.
In District 2, where longtime commissioner Kathy Bryant previously announced that she will not seek reelection, at least three individuals have thrown their hat in the ring: Matthew Cretul, Mike Crimi, and Brien Weidemiller.
Although that race originally included local attorney Erica Lynne Hay, she has withdrawn her name from consideration.
The newest addition, Weidemiller, is a Marine Corps veteran who currently owns Weide Automotive Repair in Ocala.
District 4 currently has six candidates vying for the seat. That does not include incumbent Carl Zalak III, who has not yet announced his attentions in the race. The other candidates include Randall Alvord, Jeff Bairstow Clint Barkley, Anthony Barriner-Massa, Wanda Wimberly Lasher, and Sherri Lynn Meadows.
Alvord, Lasher, and Meadows are all new additions since Ocala-News.com’s last report on the matter. Lasher owns a local shed and carport business, and Meadows and Alvord are both real estate brokers.
There are at least six individuals running for seats on the Marion County School Board. That includes two incumbents (Eric Cummings and Sarah James), as well as four newcomers: Daniel Lane Makara, Jeffrey Brewer, Earl Wyckoff, and Donald Michael Barber.
The other three seats on the Marion County Board of County Commissioners (i.e., Districts 1, 3, and 5) were decided in November 2024. Craig Curry, Matt McClain, and Michelle Stone currently lead those districts on the board.
The general election is scheduled for November 3. For more information on polling locations, or to read the candidate statement for each individual, visit the Marion County Supervisor of Elections online.