Is Kim Amontree’s Vote on Pulte’s 6,000-Home Development Bought and Paid For?
Just over a week ago, when Charlotte County Commission candidate Kim Amontree was invited to participate in a debate, she first ran the idea by Terry Miller, who chairs a PAC funded by Pulte Group, a developer seeking approval to build thousands of homes in rural eastern Charlotte County.
1. The Email Chain
August 22, 2026, a neighborhood group invited Amontree to a public debate/forum with her new opponent to discuss “issues.” The invitation did not mention Pulte or even development. ([View the full email chain])
Rather than just accepting, Amontree first forwarded the request directly to political consultant Terry Miller of TM Strategic Consulting, mentioning “Pulte” twice, seeking advice on how to navigate the issue:
Kim Amontree (Aug 22, 2026): "These are the people in the area near the proposed Pulte development. I offered to meet with them previously to hear their concerns and they refused. I feel like this is a no win situation. If I speak specifically re Pulte will I have to recuse myself from a future vote. Give me your thoughts. Politely refuse? Offer to meet to hear their concerns after the election?"
Miller’s immediate priority was the voting issue—reassuring Amontree on recusal first before laying out instructions to dodge a public debate format:
Terry Miller (Aug 22, 2026): "No, you will not have to refuse [sic] yourself whatsoever. However, I would not give them any specifics on how you may or may not vote - I would just make it a listening session - but also at the end of the day they will have plenty of public comment at commission meetings where the facts will be presented. And you know me, I like just the facts!"
Following Terry Miller’s directive on the Pulte strategy, Amontree replied to the neighborhood group asking questions and suggesting a “listening session” (as dictated by Terry Miller).
2. Following the Money: The PAC Network Connections
Filings from the Florida Department of State Division of Elections unveil an intricately orchestrated pipeline routing substantial cash between Pulte Group, allied PACs, and a shared political apparatus.
On March 27, 2026, Pulte Group made a $5,000 political contribution to the PAC Southwest Florida Jobs Alliance, which is chaired by Terry Miller and funded by numerous supporters Amontree previously listed in her County campaign finance reports. That PAC lists its business address at 1375 Jackson Street, Suite 202, Fort Myers, FL 33901.
"Just the Facts": State Campaign finance records show another political action committee, Just the Facts PAC, funded almost entirely by transfers totaling over $175,000 from the same Southwest Florida Jobs Alliance (mentioned above). That PAC, also chaired by Terry Miller, is named as the sender of political mailers attacking Amontree’s primary opponent, Stephen R. Deutsch, listing its return mailing address at 1375 Jackson Street, Suite 202, Fort Myers, FL 33901.
Decide for Yourself
Look at the dates, review the records, and examine the network for yourself before casting your vote.
