Local Dark Money - Flipbook - Page 7
Introduction
In 2010, frustrated by cronyism and lack of
accountability in local government, I filed to
run for County Commissioner in Sarasota. One
of my dedicated campaign volunteers, Jim
Lampl, conducted exit polling on election day
at a major voting precinct in Venice, Florida.
He asked voters “Who did you vote for in the
County Commission races?”. They could tell
him about the Governor’s race, about the
Senate race, but they were scratching their
heads about the County Commission races.
“Did you vote for Jon Thaxton?” Jim asked.
“Yes!” many of them said “I voted for Thaxton!”
Jon Thaxton, a popular sitting County
Commissioner, was not on the ballot. That
unsuccessful quest for public oce taught me
a lot about the gaps in public awareness of
local elections.
When we step into a voting booth, we may
know very little about local candidates. It’s a
