North Central Florida Central Labor Council backs Mike Crimi for Marion County Commission

The North Central Florida Central Labor Council (NCFCLC) is endorsing Mike Crimi in his bid for an open Marion County Commission seat.

Crimi is one of the only Republicans this cycle to win an endorsement from the pro-union group, which is affiliated with the AFL-CIO and has traditionally backed Democratic candidates. Crimi is running against two other Republicans for an open seat being vacated by Republican Commissioner Kathy Bryant, who is retiring after four terms.

A physician assistant and businessman, Crimi owns Express Care of Belleview and Leesburg. He claims to be the largest employer in southern Marion County. 

Crimi celebrated the endorsement and thanked the NCFCLC. 

“I am truly honored and grateful,” Crimi wrote on Facebook.

According to NCFCLC President Lanny Mathis, who lives in Marion, the organization does lean left but endorses Republicans “from time to time.” He said Crimi took the time to respond to the group’s questionnaire and performed well in a follow-up interview. 

“He pretty much talked about what our guys wanted to hear,” Mathis said. “He talked about bringing jobs to the area, he talked about higher-paying jobs, he talked about jobs with benefits.”

Even though the NCFCLC typically endorses Democrats, Mathis estimated that roughly half his members are Republicans. The group represents 60,000 union members and their families across 12 counties: Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Suwannee and Union.

In the Aug. 18 Primary, Crimi faces Marion County legislative manager Matt Cretul and business owner Brien Weidemiller.

Growth and rapid development have become key issues in Marion County, which is home to Ocala, the nation’s fastest-growing metro area over the past two years. Crimi has raised over $80,000 from developers, builders and real estate investors, but has campaigned on addressing traffic congestion and overdevelopment.

Crimi has significantly outraised both his opponents and spent $51,000 in a two-week period in June.