More Candidates File as Local Races Begin to Take Shape

BRADENTON – As 2015 comes to a close, next year’s political races are beginning to fill out. With several key offices up for election, some races feature crowded fields, while other well-heeled incumbents again face no opposition.

When Manatee County Commissioner Larry Bustle announced he would not seek a third term next year, the floodgates opened for district 1, a geographically large district that includes some of Palmetto and most of north Manatee County. Though no Democrats or independents have yet announced in the Republican-leaning district, five candidates have already filed for that party's primary.

Perennial candidate Corrie Holmes, who ran for the seat in 2012, as well as the district 2 seat in 2014, both times as a Democrat, has again filed, though this time as a Republican. Holmes, a private investigator who used to work for the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, leads the field in fundraising so far with $6,635.80 as of the last reporting deadline.

Former Florida House Rep. Ron Reagan has also filed to run in the district 1 race. Reagan, who served in the Florida House until terming out after eight years in 2010, will likely see the most support from the local GOP establishment. Reagan has so far raised $4,750 in his first two months of campaigning.

Palmetto City Commissioner Jonathan Davis has also filed to run for the district 1 seat. Davis, who was elected to the City Commission on a grassroots campaign in 2014, is a smart growth advocate who has also expressed concern for protecting our local environment. Sheri Clinard, who has been a longtime animal rights activist in Manatee County, will also be vying for the nomination, as will Dustin Schaal. Neither Clinard nor Schaal have reported contributions at this time. Nathaniel Leonard, who lost to Bustle in the 2012 Republican primary, had originally filed but has since withdrawn from the race.

District 5 County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh has so far drawn two opponents. Kathleen Grant has filed to run against Baugh in the Republican primary, while Longboat Key firefighter Thomas Batchelor has filed as an independent. Baugh, who was elected in 2012 and was recently voted chair by her fellow commissioners, is off to an enormous fundraising lead, having already raised over $60,000.

In the countywide race for the district 7 at-large BOCC seat held by first-term Commissioner Betsy Benac, only one candidate has filed, though Benac has announced she intends to run for reelection. Republican Candace Luther has filed, but has not reported any campaign activity at this time.

District 1 Manatee School Board member Bob Gause has announced he will not seek reelection. So far, two candidates have filed in the non-partisan race for the district that covers some of Palmetto and most of north Manatee County. Former Charter School teacher and board member Edward Viltz and longtime education activist Xtavia Bailey have both filed to run.

Viltz has a wealth of corporate experience with companies such as IBM. He also served on the board of Fielding Graduate University in California. After retiring from the corporate world, he focused on education and helped the local PAL’s charter school, Team Success, improve from an F to an A over a three-year period. Mrs. Bailey, a Manatee High and MCC grad, has been involved with Take Stock in Children and Jim Brown’s Amer-I-Can program in the Manatee School District. So far, Bailey has reported $14,405, while Viltz has raised $13,785.

In the district 3 school board race, embattled incumbent Dave Miner will face at least two challengers, both of whom have raised more cash so far. Misty Servia, a local planning consultant and longtime PTO and SAC volunteer, has already raised $24, 275, while Palmetto High teacher Sadie Montanus, a Manatee County local and FSU alum who worked as a policy analyst on Gov. Rick Scott’s reelection campaign, has raised $4,565.27. Miner, who has been the subject of multiple lawsuits and controversial votes and actions since being elected in 2012, has raised $4,020, though he’s also reported $5,500 in in-kind contributions.

Several local officeholders remain unopposed though there is still plenty of time to qualify for the ballot. Angel Colonneso, the late Chips Shore's deputy clerk, who was appointed to the office when Shore passed this summer, is running without opposition for the countywide post. Colonneso, who is supported by many of her highly-popular predecessor’s supporters, has already amassed $17,740 in campaign cash.


Charles "Rick" Wells is so far the only candidate who has filed to run for the post that will be vacated by retiring Manatee County Sheriff Brad Steube. Wells is the son of former Manatee Sheriff Charlie Wells and was recently appointed as Steube's number two, after serving as Palmetto's Police Chief. Wells has already amassed an astonishing $105,657 in campaign funds.

Citizens considering running for these or other elected offices should visit the Manatee Supervisor of Elections website's "Become a Candidate" page.