Political Candidate Accused of Lying About Income

Posted on February 4, 2025 by Romi White

Cindy Smith, who advocated for COVID-19 quarantining, is running for the Florida House District 3 seat. She’s pictured with Wes Siler, a pro-incorporation advocate, at a Preserve Navarre event 

Another member of the beleaguered Santa Rosa County Republican Executive Committee has quit after the group’s attendance secretary, Cindy Smith, a candidate for Florida House District 3, was accused of lying about money she received for political work which she and fellow members did during the 2024 election cycle.

The former REC member says “it was a lot of work” to distribute 19,000 flyers across Santa Rosa County for Faith and Freedom, a political advocacy group. “I asked Cindy if she was getting paid for it, and she denied it.”

However, Smith’s Feb. 2, 2025 financial disclosure for the HD3 race shows she did receive $6,000 for the work.

On Jan. 31, the former member received an email from fellow REC member Diane Warner, which stated, “Cindy lied to you about not getting paid. That was dead wrong.”

Warner’s email went on to claim that Smith regrets not being honest when asked.

The former member forwarded Warner’s email to SRC REC Chairwoman Sharon Regan, stating, “I quit. I will find another group.” 

Records show Smith also failed to file her HD3 campaign treasurer’s report by the Jan. 10 deadline, a potential violation of Florida State Statute Ch. 106. 

EDITOR’S NOTE: As of 5 p.m., CDT, Feb. 4, no resign to run document had been uploaded to the State Division of Elections website.

READ MORE ABOUT THE SRC REC:

https://ssrnews.com/candidates-say-santa-rosa-rec-returned-1000-minimum-donations-to-participate-in/

 

SANTA ROSA INSIDER: Santa Rosa’s REC has become “Congress of Unelectables”

https://ssrnews.com/opinion-pitchfork-posse-threatens-violence-against-elected-official-damages-recall-florida-effort-spurs-republican-infighting/