Clay Murphy is challenging Trump endorsed Roy Alaimo in St Johns County’s Seat 3 election. In a recent interview with News 4 Jax, Murphy spoke extensively about his development ideas.

Murphy has campaigned alongside other “stop overdevelopment” candidates Ann Taylor and Anne Marie-Evans. Despite the incumbents in the county receiving Trump endorsements, the three challengers continue to spew vitriol in an attempt to win their respective races. Murphy has been very vocal in his opposition to development, so I decided to take a moment and view his campaign finance reports from the Saint Johns County Supervisor of Elections Office. What I found was shocking to say the least.

Despite Murphy’s vocal opposition to both Developers and Political Action Committees, official records show that he has received max donations from both industries.

Murphy’s own website states his primary focus is to slow the growth. If his platform is slowing the growth, why would he be funded by the very industry he claims to oppose?

In any election it is important to look at who is funding the candidates rather than just the words spoken by the candidates. Hopefully the voters of Saint Johns County will be able to see through the rhetoric and look at the black and white issues along with the finances tied to those issues.