Candidate Profile: Marianne Barnebey

Barnebey graduated from Manatee High School in 1975 and earned an A.A. from Manatee Community College, followed by a B.A. in Voluntary Agency Administration from North Carolina’s High Point University.

Barnebey was first elected as Ward 2 Councilwoman in 1998, a seat she kept until relinquishing it for a failed bid for mayor in 2012. Current Mayor of Bradenton, Gene Brown, was actually appointed to fill her vacant seat, and Barnebey was then appointed to the seat in 2020 when Brown left for his own mayoral run.

During her time out of office, Barnebey served as a board member and chair of ArtCenter Manatee and was on the selection committee for architectural and construction services. She also served as a board member of the Service Club of Manatee County and as the grants co-chair and chair, oversaw the distribution of more than $235,000 to selected charities that served children in our county.

Barnebey is an ASPO Certified Childbirth Educator. Before her political career, she worked for the Girls Club of Sarasota County, Inc., Gulf Coast Apalachee Bend Girl Scout Councils, and Gulf Coast Builders Exchange.

Barnebey has raised just under $25,000 in campaign funds, as of the last reporting period, nearly twice that of her opponent, who is largely self-funded.