David Bellamy outraises Jeremy Matlow in January, nears $130K total

Bellamy Matlow
Bellamy's average donation so far is $422 while Matlow's average is $73.

David Bellamy more than doubled the amount Tallahassee City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow raised in January, marking the third straight month the challenger has outraised the incumbent.

Bellamy totaled $16,035 in January, bringing his fundraising total up to $129,560. Matlow raised $7,771 last month, bringing his total to $68,800.

While Bellamy is outpacing him in total funds, Matlow has a noticeable lead in the donor count. The incumbent has received 937 donations, compared to Bellamy’s 307. Bellamy has had more donors max out their campaign contributions to him. The surgeon — and son of former city commissioner Carol Bellamy — has received 92 $1,000 donations from Tallahassee residents and companies, while Matlow has received five.

As a result, the average donation to Bellamy was $422 while the average Matlow donation was $73.

While Matlow had a noticeable donor count lead going into December, he grew that gap thanks to a donation campaign asking his supporters to give donations of $1 — or whatever they could afford — starting in December. Since it launched, his campaign has received 110 $1 donations.

One of Bellamy’s $1,000 donors is State Attorney Jack Campbell, who publicly butted heads with Matlow, who owns local pizza restaurants, after the Commissioner boycotted the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce’s annual 2021 conference. Chamber leadership censured him for his comments the day after Matlow announced the boycott.

During the conference, State Attorney Campbell called for Matlow to be voted out of office in 2022.

“It’s silly to listen to a pizza maker about criminal justice policy. We must stand up to the evil men and their 12 trolls on Twitter,” Campbell said in his speech.

Matlow called Campbell’s comments an “angry, personal attack” in a texted statement to the Democrat after the speech.

As of Jan. 31, Bellamy also is outspending Matlow $11,128 to $7,129.

Bellamy’s expenditures include $2,199 to Cuneo Creative, a Tallahassee advertising agency, and $1,885 to Stephen Beasley for political consulting. Matlow has spent $1,075 on Hustle, a text message marketing platform. He also paid $500 to Barbara Rollins for “grassroots outreach.”

Both campaigns also have produced their first campaign ads that are making the rounds.

Bellamy’s ad, “Results not Rhetoric”, highlights his and his family’s roots in Tallahassee.

Matlow’s ad, “Working People”, argues he wants the city to work for everyone, including the working class.

The candidates will be on the ballot during this year’s September Primary.

Tristan Wood

Tristan Wood graduated from the University of Florida in 2021 with a degree in Journalism. A South Florida native, he has a passion for political and accountability reporting. He previously reported for Fresh Take Florida, a news service that covers the Florida Legislature and state political stories operating out of UF’s College of Journalism and Communications. You can reach Tristan at [email protected], or on Twitter @TristanDWood


4 comments

  • Hoops McCann

    February 14, 2022 at 2:15 pm

    I love that Bellamy’s major case is “results over rhetoric” when the results he wants are just the status quo requiring no action, the same chamber backed handouts to the good old boys network and out of state developers that want to turn his hometown into an even more disgusting Orlando. And that’s already happening, the conservatives and lefties in tallahassee are equally outraged and upset by this. Only the corrupt goons like Dailey, Goad, Richardson, DWC, and the children of rich influential developers (summoned to do their family bidding on Facebook arguments) want the kinds of “results” Bellamy is touting. Who is really going to be convinced by that? The guy is stomach curdling, just a viscerally disgusting guy.

    • David bellamy

      February 16, 2022 at 9:38 pm

      Happy to talk with you any time if you are interested in hearing why I am running

      8509333126

  • Blaise Downing

    February 14, 2022 at 3:01 pm

    I’m usually not a fan of the more progressive side of things, but Matlow vs Bellamy is a clear case of right vs. wrong. Insurrectionist Chamber money is trying to oust a good small business owner and common sense leader in Commissioner Matlow.

    Good thing it appears certain to fail, like the campaigns of their last chosen picks Bryan Desloge, Jeff Hendry, Elaine Bryant, etc.

    • David bellamy

      February 16, 2022 at 9:40 pm

      Hey happy to talk with you if you would like to hear why I am running

      8509333126

Comments are closed.


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