McClain wins the District 3 primary election

Matt McClain of the Marion County Commission listens during the Historic Marion County Commission meeting held at the Fort King National Historic Landmark in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

Marion County Commissioner Matthew McClain defeated David Blackwell in the primary election to retain the district 3 seat he was appointed to by Gov. Ron DeSantis last September.

Because there is a write-in candidate, Rich Brown, the primary race was decided only by Marion County registered Republicans.  26,778 voted for McClain, 8,512 voted for Blackwell.

Encouraging a write-in candidate to run to close voting in races to only Republican voters when there are no Democratic candidates has become a popular move in recent years.

In the Nov. general election, the ballot’s District 3 choices will offer McClain’s name and a line to write in Brown’s name.

McClain, 34, is a third-generation Marion County resident, is the son of Stan McClain, a former Marion County commissioner and state House representative who has termed out of that seat and is now running to represent Marion County in the Florida Senate.

Prior to the being appointed a commissioner, McClain worked in the state Legislature as the chief aide to Florida Sen. Dennis Baxley since 2016 and worked under former State Rep. Charlie Stone (wife of current commissioner Michelle Stone) starting in 2011.

According to the most recent campaign records filed to date, McClain raised $77,745, and discloses the bulk of that campaign money was paid to Front Line Agency, a Tallahassee campaign consultant owned by McClain’s uncle, Bret Doster.

Campaign financial reports show two disbursements to Front Line Agency, one for $13,924.50 in July and $47,687.37 on Aug. 8.

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

In a prior interview, McClain said his top priority would be to stay on top of the county’s infrastructure and needs given the large amount of people moving to Florida and, specifically, to Marion County.

“My biggest priority is just making sure that we’re managing this growth, effectively making sure we have the infrastructure and services as the growth increases because you can’t stop growth,” he said.