A public-records look at business contributions, outside individual donations, candidate self-funding, and in-kind support in Marion County Commission Districts 2 and 4
Marek Studzinski / jccards
Sunshine Data reviewed campaign finance records for Marion County Commission Districts 2 and 4 in the 2026 election cycle. The analysis separates reported monetary contributions into three categories: business/entity support, outside individual donations, and candidate self-funding or loans. In-kind contributions are tracked separately and can be included using a toggle.
Seven candidates in these two races have reported monetary contributions totaling more than $295,000.
Methodology note. This analysis uses public campaign finance records filed with the Marion County Supervisor of Elections. The default view shows monetary contributions only. In-kind contributions (goods and services rather than cash) can be included using the toggle below. Shared addresses, officers, or registered agents among business contributors do not by themselves indicate wrongdoing. Florida law permits individuals to contribute through multiple business entities.
Source: Marion County Supervisor of Elections campaign finance records. Default view shows monetary contributions only.
Contribution breakdown by candidate
The chart below shows how each candidate's reported monetary contributions break down by source. Toggle "Include in-kind" to add non-monetary support.
Dist.
Candidate
Monetary ▼
Business
Individual
Self/Loan
In-Kind
Total w/ IK
## Related-entity patterns
Some business/entity contributions appear in groups where contributors share an address, registered agent, corporate officer, or related filing pattern. Sunshine Data grouped those records to help readers review the public-record connections. These groupings are not allegations and do not by themselves indicate improper activity.
Rainey Network$28,200
HIGHTotal: Campaign finance filings show $28,200 in contributions connected to Rainey-related contributors across District 2 and District 4 races. Connection: Several contributing entities list 9925 SE 58th Ave, Belleview, as their address or share records connected to James I. Rainey. SunBiz records show Rainey as officer or registered agent for multiple contributing LLCs at this address. Entities: 15 LLCs at the shared address including JIR LLC, Heather Island LLC, Cowboys Group LLC, Rainey Pasture LLC, Circle R Ranch LLLP, I&G Developers Group LLC, and others; plus Rainey Construction Company and Rainey Construction Land Co at separate addresses Individuals: James I. Rainey, James B. Rainey Candidates: Mike Crimi (D2) and Sherri Meadows (D4) Sources: Marion County campaign finance filings, SunBiz records, DBPR licensing records (license CUC043138), FDACS Rural and Family Lands Protection Program records (5,269-acre conservation easement, approved March 2024) Caveat: Some entities (Rainey OK LLC, Circle R Ranch LLLP, Giles Island Hunting Club LLC) were not found in the local SunBiz mirror and may require additional verification.
Restaurant Partners$15,000
MEDIUMTotal: Campaign finance filings show $15,000 in contributions to Sherri Meadows from 15 restaurant-related entities dated March 30–31, 2026. Connection: The entities appear as a concentrated filing pattern and were reviewed against available public corporate records. Candidate: Sherri Meadows (D4) only Sources: Marion County campaign finance filings, SunBiz records where available Caveat: Because not all entities were confirmed in the local SunBiz mirror, this cluster should be treated as medium-confidence and source-limited.
Nicholson / Sun Kool$10,000
HIGHTotal: Campaign finance filings show $10,000 in contributions to Mike Crimi from Nicholson-related entities and one personal contribution. Connection: SunBiz records show Frank W. Nicholson III as officer or manager for multiple contributing entities. All contributions list PO Box 3171, Ocala. Entities: Sun Kool Air Conditioning (multiple divisions), Absolute of Ocala LLC, Absolute Enterprises of Crystal River, Absolute Enterprises of Sumter County, Kilo Enterprises LLC, T Too Z Enterprises LLC Individual: Frank W. Nicholson III ($1,000) Candidate: Mike Crimi (D2) only Sources: Marion County campaign finance filings, SunBiz records
Cone / Koche$11,000
HIGHTotal: Campaign finance filings show $11,000 in contributions from Cone-related entities and personal contributions across four races. Connection: SunBiz records show David L. Koche (Gunster attorney) as registered agent for Cone Distributing Inc and Our Island Beach House LLC. All contributors list 1551 NW 44th Ave, Ocala. Entities: Cone Distributing Inc, Our Island Beach House LLC, Desadowi LLC Personal: Douglas P. Cone Jr. (individual and revocable trust, $5,000), Deborah A. Cone ($1,000) Candidates: Mike Crimi (D2), Matt Cretul (D2), Sherri Meadows (D4), and Sarah James (D5) Sources: Marion County campaign finance filings, SunBiz records
Armstrong / Bairstow$5,000
HIGHTotal: Campaign finance filings show $5,000 in contributions to Jeff Bairstow from Armstrong- and Bairstow-connected entities. Connection: SunBiz records show Fred C. Armstrong as registered agent for 95th Street Holdings LLC, Bellehaven Development Group LLC, and Freedom Commons Development LLC. All Armstrong entities list 1415 SW 17 St, Ocala. Armstrong entities: 95th Street Holdings LLC, Bellehaven Development Group LLC, Casa Holdings LLC, Freedom Commons Development LLC ($4,000) Bairstow entities: 113 Quads LLC ($500), Sentry Service LLC ($500) — SunBiz records show candidate Jeff Bairstow as registered agent for both Candidate: Jeff Bairstow (D4) only Sources: Marion County campaign finance filings, SunBiz records
Cluster totals are based on campaign finance filings reviewed by Sunshine Data. Corporate relationships were checked against SunBiz and other public records where available. Some matches rely on shared addresses, registered agents, or officer records; those links identify public-record relationships, not legal conclusions.
Sources and methodology
Source: Marion County Supervisor of Elections campaign finance records, filed by candidates under F.S. Chapter 106.
Entity verification: Florida SunBiz (Division of Corporations) records and Florida DBPR contractor licensing records are the primary sources for entity and relationship verification. Third-party sites were not used as primary support.
Default view: Monetary contributions only. In-kind contributions (goods and services) are tracked separately and can be included using the toggle.
Classification: Business/entity (cont_subtype = 'B'), outside individual (cont_subtype = 'I'), candidate self-funding/loan (candidate name match or item_type = 'LO'), special/other (cont_subtype = 'S' after excluding self-funding).
Related-entity clusters: Groupings are based on shared registered agents, corporate officers, or contributor mailing addresses in public records. Shared attributes identify public-record relationships, not legal conclusions. Cluster totals were updated after validation against campaign finance records. Entity clusters are relationship leads for public-record review, not allegations.
Reconciliation: Mike Crimi's totals were reconciled line-by-line against source campaign finance reports. All candidate totals verified against filed reports. Cluster totals were validated against the full contribution dataset and corrected where understated.
Data current through: March 31, 2026 (most recent filing period available).
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The public records work at Sunshine Data is made possible in part by the Florida First Amendment Foundation — Florida’s leading advocate for government transparency. Consider supporting their work.
