Kerry Smith is desperately trying to hold onto power in his re-election bid, and developers are spending thousands of dollars toward his campaign.
Back in 2022, Kerry Smith ran on a campaign promise of “Roads Before Development.” But since that time he’s lost key supporters who say he broke that promise by approving controversial land development projects on already busy roads and that he hasn’t been able to make meaningful improvements to traffic congestion in District 2 along U.S. 90 in East Milton/Milton.
After the most recent campaign financial reports were submitted, it has become clear that Smith now lines his political pocket with development industry money.
In early April, Michael Allen Patterson, a supervisor with Adams Homes, hosted a fundraiser for Smith at his family’s East Milton Venue, Ates Wedding Barn. Patterson also donated $1,000 cash to Smith. But that’s not all, Smith has a large campaign sign outside Adams Homes former office on U.S. 98 in Gulf Breeze. Bryan Adams also gave $1,000.
Another notable contribution to Smith’s re-election was from Land Developer Nathan & Kimberly Cox of Daphne, Alabama. Their $2,000 contribution was returned, and they resubmitted individual contributions of $1,000 each, which is the legal limit. Cox is chairman of 68 Ventures, which calls itself a “Change Agent for Growth” and “one of the largest developers” in the area. 68 Ventures has developed projects in Santa Rosa County and, per their website, built more than 3,600 homes.
Developers get around the $1,000 contribution limit when wives or relatives also cut checks or by using an LLC; for example, Teresa Pierce, sister of Jim Young, gave $1,000 in addition to the $1,000 from JK Financing, LLC (Young’s company); and former state legislator Bo Johnson gave Smith two donations using his Briar Ridge, LLC: giving $500 in April and $500 in May.
Smith’s May 7 re-election fundraiser took place in downtown Pensacola. Event hosts included: Johnson, Ed Cronley, Ashton Hayward, and Collier Merrill.
Contributors included but were not limited to:
- Wharton Smith (a Construction group where former County Administrator Dan Schebler now works);
- Terhaar Realty Group;
- Leaf River Group (boasts over $400 million in development projects).
During today’s County Commission meeting, former Smith supporter Jerry Couey addressed Smith taking developer money from outside the county. “You had to run to Escambia to get donations from the big donors over there. Don’t run from it.”
Smith is facing the followng challegers:
- Jeff Ates IV;
- Renee Johnmeyer;
- Erin Nisewonger;
- R.C. Pittman;
- Jeff Snow;
Two other candidates, Brian Hosterman and Shawn Kay, have withdraw from the race. Additionally, Michael Jon Rinald switched this morning to become a write-in candidate, eliminating non-GOP voters from casting a ballot in the Aug. 18 primary.
Early voting starts Aug. 3.
FUN FACT: Santa Rosa County Commissioners’ salaries, per state statute, are based upon population. Santa Rosa’s projected population is 207,983, which is around 45,000 more people than a decade ago; subsequently, during that time commissioner salaries have risen from $62,064 to $94,046 in 2025 – more than a 50% increase.
