Campaign Contributions in City Elections

The following list contains the political contributions for all candidates running for Ocala
city elections which will be decided on Sept. 21.

The contributions are complete through the July 31 reporting date.

In addition to the direct contributions, at least two political committees have also been active in 
some of the races.

Accountability in Government, Inc. who received $15,000 in donations during the month
of July from entities owned by local businessmen, Doug Cone and Harvey Vandeven.

That political committee is currently running two campaigns:
         • One is a digital campaign with pop-up ads and a direct mail piece calling Manal Fakoury “A wolf
in sheep’s clothing.”
        • One direct mail piece campaigning for two candidates, Barry Mansfield and Ty Schlichter,
against Brent Malever and Jay Musleh.

The print and digital pieces state “Paid electioneering communication paid for by Accountability in Government, Inc.”

Florida Statute 106.011 (8)(a) defines “electioneering communications” doesn’t include distribution of such material through digital ad/web means, but instead specifically identifies distribution through “television station, radio station, cable television system, satellite system, newspaper, magazine, direct mail, or telephone.”

Readers have reported they are having digital ads pop up while on their phones in various apps and
webpages leading them to a web page that outlines donations Fakhoury has made to Democrat
candidates while leaving out the donations Fakhoury made to Republican campaigns.

Citizens for Florida Prosperity PC is financially connected to Florida First Forever PAC. Florida First Forever received a $20,000 contribution from local businessman Stan Hanson, the same politico behind Facebook page Marion County Political Forum. The political committee is currently running one campaign for city council candidate Lori Martin Gregory with the disclaimer, Paid by Citizens for Florida
Prosperity.

A full list of each candidate’s contributors is in our August 20, 2021 print and digital editions.