Curry wins a second term as District 1 Commissioner

File photo: Commissioner Craig Curry [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Marion County Commissioner Craig Curry defeated Sarah Almeida Dennis in the primary election, 33,589 votes to 22,072.

Curry congratulated Dennis on her good turnout. “She worked hard, her family worked hard, and she had a really good showing.”

Since both candidates are Republican, and there was no write-in candidate, all registered Marion County voters had the opportunity to vote in this race.

Curry, 75, was first elected to the county commission in 2020. He previously served as the mayor of Ocala from 1985 to 1990 and as president of both the Ocala City Council and Marion County Chamber of Commerce.

Campaign financial reports indicate that Curry collected $101,526.20 in campaign contributions from 134 individuals and organizations.

“I’ve worked as hard at being a county commissioner as I have ever worked. There are obviously a lot of people unhappy about the growth and the traffic it brings, and I will work to address those concerns in my term,” Curry told the Gazette.

“I’m pleased that the majority of voters are sending me back to work,” added Curry.

County commissioners serve four-year terms and receive an annual salary of $103,500.