The Developer of The Villages and numerous associates have flooded the campaign coffers of the three chosen candidates running for Sumter County Commission.
Political newcomer Todd Coon, a landscaper who has publicly pledged his loyalty to The Villages, led the way by collecting $109,993 in political contributions, according to information filed by his campaign with the Sumter County Supervisor of Elections Office. Coon is hoping to unseat Sumter County Commission Chairman Craig Estep, a Villager who has raised $4,880, thus far.
Villager Mary Lazich, who is running for the seat currently held by Roberta Ulrich, raised $82,250. She is running against Village of Winifred resident Deb Butterfield, who has raised $7,950.
Don Wiley, who is running against Commissioner Oren Miller, raised $86,000 in the most recent reporting period. He has raised a total of $90,700, compared with $4,300 raised by Miller, a Village of Sanibel resident, who recently reclaimed his seat on the commission after a long difficult battle.
The Coon, Lazich and Wiley contribution reports are virtually carbon copies with the same well-known list of contributors:
Mark Morse personally gave each member of the trio $1,000. His wife M’Lissa Morse gave $1,000 each to Coon, Lazich and Wiley, making a total contribution of $6,000 from The Villages’ ultimate power couple.
Mark Morse’s sister, Jennifer Parr, the vice president of sales for The Villages, also gave $1,000 each to Coon, Lazich and Wiley.
The list of their employees, friends and family who also donated the gold standard of $3,000 ($1,000 for Coon, $1,000 for Lazich and $1,000 for Wiley) leaves no doubt who the Developer is hoping to see win the GOP primary in August:
• The Villages Vice President for Community Relations Gary Lester. His wife, Stacy Lester, also gave $1,000 to the Wiley campaign
• Villages Charter School Director Randy McDaniel, who also serves on the Sumter Landing Community Development Board of Supervisors
• Michael Manly, husband of Mark Morse’s daughter Kelsea Morse Manly
• Brian Sellers, head of construction for The Villages
• Elliot Sussman, chairman of The Villages Health
• Robert Chandler IV, vice president of development for The Villages and a supervisor on the Village Center Community Development District Board
• Kelly Flores, chair of the Village Center Community Development District Board. Her husband also contributed $1,000 each to Coon, Lazich and Wiley
• Marty Dzuro, vice president of The Villages
• Scott Renick, The Villages director of commercial property
• Dale Borrowman, head of The Villages Technology Solutions Group
• Phil Markward, head of The Villages Media Group
• Wildwood Commissioner Marcos Flores, who works for the T&D family of companies
In addition, companies that do business with The Villages are fueling the campaign coffers of Coon, Lazich and Wiley, including DZ concrete, T&D companies, Jacobs utilities which serves a wide swath of The Villages; Clymer, Farner Barley Inc.; the firm of golf course architect Ken Ezell, for whom the Ezell Recreation Center has been named; Ro-Mac Lumber and Supply; and Rainey Construction Co.