Candidate Profile: James Golden

LAKEWOOD RANCH – Former Bradenton City Councilman James Golden will challenge John Colon for the District 5 school board seat this August. Golden ran unsuccessfully for the seat in 2014, the year that Mary Cantrell defeated the incumbent, Julie Aranibar. Following Cantrell's passing, Colon was appointed by Gov. Scott to fulfill her term, then went unopposed for the seat in the next election.

Golden, a Jacksonville native and former pastor at Bradenton’s Ward Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church, served in the U.S. Army before earning his undergraduate degree from Stetson University. Golden then went on to earn his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Florida in 1974.

Upon graduation from law school, Golden became a member of the Florida Bar, practicing until he earned his Master of Divinity degree and left law to pursue a career as a pastor. Golden was elected to terms on the Bradenton City Council in 1999 and 2003. While serving, he was instrumental in the creation of the Central Community Redevelopment Area.

Golden is no stranger to political races, as it seems an election year does not go by without his name somewhere on the ballot. He first challenged for the school board in 1998, losing to Barbara Harvey. In 2010, he unsuccessfully challenged Vern Buchanan for his Congressional seat. In 2012, Golden made a run at the Manatee County Commission District 5 seat, losing to Vanessa Baugh, and in 2016 he came up short against Joe Grueters for the District 73 Florida House seat.

Golden says he’s running because the children of Manatee County need an advocate on the board, someone who will work tirelessly to ensure that their interests are always paramount in the decision making process.

"I'm a glass half full guy," said Golden. "If you're a glass half empty kind of person, I'm probably not your candidate. I think we're doing good and making progress, though we obviously have to do some things better."

On hiring a new superintendent, Golden said the district has the kind of problem you want to have.

"We hired a good superintendent in Diana Greene, who did a great job, and then Duval County hired her away from us," said Golden. "I want to find another good candidate who does so well that other districts want to hire them away too. Repeat the process. We clearly know how to get the right person, and I'm confident we will again."

On school security Golden advised that the district do a study of every one of its campuses to find out what the specific needs and best options are for each, then come together with the board to devise a long-term plan.

"Not every school is the same," said Golden. "You can't have a one size-fits-all approach. You might not have the same plan at Manatee Elementary as Southeast High. We need to tailor our approach to the individual school and whether it's hardening it or hiring more guardians or SROs, it should be based on that school's specific needs and how we can best protect our students there."