Candidate Profile: Dmitri Denis

PALMETTO – First-time candidate Dmitri Denis will try to become the first Republican to ever win the Manatee County Commission District 2 seat in this year's election. He takes on Democrat Reggie Bellamy.

Created in the '90s to settle a lawsuit with the NAACP, district 2 is a small, gerrymandered district that was intended to give African American residents a fair shot at having a member on what had historically been an all white board.

The district includes much of downtown Palmetto and the eastern side of Bradenton. It is comprised of some of the most blighted portions of the county and houses many of the poorest residents. It suffers from high crime and infrastructural shortages, including a lack of lighting and sidewalks in many areas.

While there has rarely been either a white or a Republican candidate (Michael Gallen did hold the seat for one term before losing to Smith in 2014), Denis' somewhat rare status as a black Republican could change the calculus a bit in this year's election, if he is able to convince enough African American Democrats to cross the aisle–particularly those who supported incumbent Charles Smith before he lost to Bellamy in the primary.

Denis describes himself as a blue-collar American raised in Florida. He attended Arkansas Baptist College and obtained an A.A. in Business Administration, then got a B.A. in Criminology at USF. He says he is currently a student in South New Hampshire University's graduate program, where he is pursuing an MBA in Community Economic Development.

"I am committed to bringing a new perspective, new leadership, and new attitude to Manatee County and District 2," said Denis. "I believe in family, religion, and state. I am strongly dedicated to represent all people of District 2 and fight causes for the unheard voices throughout the district. I believe all areas of Manatee County deserve a bright, thriving future, including District 2."

Denis also touts his conservative bonafides.

"I am a constitutionalist and pro-business," said Denis. "I believe Manatee County needs a greater focus on fiscal responsibility. I am prepared and committed to bring these qualities to our County and District 2."