While $550,000 has been donated to 18 candidates running for positions on the Marion County Board of County Commissioners and Marion County School Board as of this month, just two of the candidates account for nearly half the total.
Through Monday, July 20, candidates vying for local governing seats have generated a combined $556,823.45 in monetary campaign contributions.
The updated total reflects a steady surge from mid-June, when total contributions across the field stood at just over $450,000. Just two weeks prior in early June, collections stood at $372,000. In mid-April, that total was around $330,000.
Currently, the leading fundraisers are Mike Crimi and Sherri Meadows, who have both crossed six-figure contribution totals to account for $261,981.10, or nearly 47 percent, of all funds raised.
Crimi, who leads all candidates countywide in fundraising, has amassed $160,864.20 in monetary contributions in the race for the Marion County Board of County Commissioners’ District 2 seat, which is being vacated by 16-year incumbent Kathy Bryant.
His Republican primary opponents include Matt Cretul, who has raised $40,650, and Brien Weidemiller, who has collected $31,903.65. Write-in candidate Mark Okus has not recorded any campaign donations.
The District 4 commission seat, which is being vacated by long-time commissioner Carl Zalak III, has seen Sherri Meadows officially become the second candidate this election cycle to cross the $100,000 milestone.
Meadows has secured $101,116.90 in monetary donations to date. She leads a competitive Republican primary field that includes Jeff Bairstow with $38,917.34, Wanda Wimberly Lasher with $30,960.00, and Randall Alvord with $30,488.51. Write-in candidate Leonard Michael Racioppi has not recorded any contributions.
Candidates running for the Marion County School Board have also seen significant financial movement over the past month.
In District 3, incumbent Eric R. Cummings has built up his campaign chest to $11,544, while challenger Steve Swett has recorded $4,244.30 in contributions.
| Candidate | Funds as of 7/20/26 | Funds as of 6/16/26 | Funds as of 6/9/26 | Funds as of 5/6/26 | City | Office & District |
| Mike Crimi | $160,864.20 | $142,334.50 | $116,383.40 | $116,383.00 | Ocala | BCC 2 |
| Sherri Meadows | $101,116.90 | $94,981.90 | $75,625.00 | $75,625.00 | Salt Springs | BCC 4 |
| Sarah James | $44,100 | $39,850 | $38,700.00 | $31,200.00 | Anthony | SB 5 |
| Jeff Bairstow | $38,917.34 | $33,180 | $31,016.71 | $21,053.00 | Silver Springs | BCC 4 |
| Matt Cretul | $40,650 | $30,850 | $24,750.00 | $24,750.00 | Ocala | BCC 2 |
| Brien Weidemiller | $31,903.65 | $25,750 | $22,000.00 | $22,000.00 | _ | BCC 2 |
| Wanda W. Lasher | $30,960 | $27,185 | $19,835.00 | $19,835.00 | Citra | BCC 4 |
| Randall Alvord | $30,488 | $20,638 | $14,588.51 | $14,588.51 | Anthony | BCC 4 |
| Jeff Brewer | $14,208.79 | $8,579 | $8,579.00 | $1,803.00 | Ocala | SB 4 |
| Donny Barber | $8,822.44 | $4,433.39 | $4,433.39 | $2,529.00 | _ | SB 5 |
| Buddy Wyckoff | $5,100 | $4,090 | $4,090.00 | $650.00 | Ocala | SB 4 |
| Eric R. Cummings | $11,544 | $4,486 | $190.00 | $190.00 | Dunnellon | SB 3 |
| Brigitte Smith | $8,435 | $2,620 | $0.00 | $0.00 | Ocala | SB 4 |
| Mike Mills | $21,925 | $13,250 | $0.00 | $0.00 | Ocala | SB 4 |
| Mark Okus | $0 | $0 | $0.00 | $0.00 | Ocala | BCC 2 |
| Leonard M. Racioppi | $0 | $0 | $0.00 | $0.00 | Ocala | BCC 4 |
| Steve Swett | $4,244.30 | $0 | $0.00 | $0.00 | Dunnellon | SB 3 |
| Ualthan Bigby | $3,124.32 | $0 | $0.00 | $0.00 | Ocala | SB 5 |
In the District 4 race to replace outgoing school board member Nancy Thrower, local business owner Mike Mills leads the four-way field in fundraising with $21,925. He is followed by Jeff Brewer with $14,208.79, Brigitte Smith with $8,435, and Buddy Wyckoff with $5,100.
In District 5, incumbent Sarah James remains the top fundraiser among all school board contenders countywide, collecting $44,100 to defend her seat. Her primary challengers have also begun logging financial contributions, with Donald “Donny” Barber bringing in $8,822.44 and Ualthan Bigby, head of student services at Ross Prairie Elementary, raising $3,124.32.
With candidate rosters finalized and campaign accounts funded, Marion County voters will narrow the field during the primary elections on August 18, setting up the final ballot for the general election on November 3.
What are your thoughts on the substantial amount of money being raised for local Marion County races? Share your opinions in a comment below, or write a letter to the editor.
CORRECTION: A previous incorrect statement about candidate Jeff Brewer was removed from this article.