Brian Williams Easily Wins 3-way Race for Palmetto City Commission

PALMETTO — Palmetto City Commissioner Brian Williams will keep his seat after winning a decisive victory in a three-way non-partisan race.

Williams faced city planning commission member Eric Gilbert, who’s made multiple runs at the commission, and first-time candidate John Geeslin.

Williams earned 45 percent of the vote, while Gilbert took 32 and Geeslin pulled down 10.

In the Ward 1 City Commission Race, Harold Smith won unopposed. Smith is the brother of incoming Manatee County Commissioner Charles Smith, who gave up the seat to run for the higher office.

Ward 2 incumbent Tambra Varnadore was also unopposed.