Charlotte County: Amontree and Melton vie for open commission seat
The two candidates for District 4 raised vastly different amounts by mid-October, with the Republican outspending the independent engineering firm owner by more than ten to one.
By Emily Lawson ·
The November 3 general election will decide who replaces Commissioner Stephen R. Deutsch in Charlotte County Commission District 4. Kim Amontree and Michael Melton are the final candidates in the race. Both seek to address local infrastructure needs and environmental concerns, but they approach the seat from different political and professional angles.
Amontree, a registered Republican, spent several years on the Charlotte County School Board representing District 2. She has lived in the area for 35 years. Her stated priorities include capping property tax increases, maintaining clean waterways, and implementing term limits for public officials. Amontree identifies as a fiscal conservative who intends to lower government spending.
Melton is a no-party affiliate and the owner of Enterprise Engineering Service in Englewood. He aims to bring an engineer's perspective to the commission. His campaign focuses on responsible growth, hurricane resiliency, and updating county infrastructure. Melton expressed criticism of the two-party system, stating his goal is to offer a distinct viewpoint in local government.
Campaign finance records from October 16 show a wide gap in fundraising. Amontree reported total contributions of $213,220. Melton reported raising $19,673 during the same period. This creates an 11-to-1 spending advantage for Amontree.
Major contributors to Amontree include State Rep. Danny Nix Jr., Commissioner Christopher G. Constance, and the Truex Family Trust. Melton's largest single donation was a $5,000 contribution from himself on July 13.
The race will determine the next four-year commissioner for the district.
Source: Sun Newspapers (North Port Sun)
