Candidate Profile: Harold Byrd Jr.

Former Bradenton City Councilman Harold Byrd Jr. is one of three candidates vying for the Manatee County School Board's District 2 seat. The non-partisan race will be on August's primary ballot.

Byrd served five terms on the Bradenton City Council, representing Ward 5 until vacating his seat in an unsuccessful candidacy for Mayor of Bradenton in 2020. As a councilman, he earned a reputation as a collegial public official who engaged in civil debate while remaining open to the ideas of others, even when they held significantly different ideological beliefs.

A graduate of Southeast High School, Byrd holds a law degree from Florida A&M University College of Law, as well as a Master of Public Administration degree from Eckerd College with a concentration in public policy and public administration. He is a Manatee County native whose mother, Ruby Byrd, previously served on the Manatee School Board.

"During the economic downturn, I have had the opportunity to represent a city with manageable growth, strong law enforcement, and public safety with reasonable taxes," said Byrd in his campaign statement. "During that time, while on the city council, tough decisions were made and Bradenton remained financially sound. We have all made Bradenton a wonderful place to live, work, raise a family, and retire. I am grateful to the citizens for the support over the years and will strive to work tirelessly as your Manatee County School Board Member making the same type of tough decisions in educating our kids."

Byrd has been the Executive Director of the Harold E. Byrd, Sr. Educational Foundation since 1998 and serves on the Bradenton CCRA Advisory Board. He is a former member of the United Way of Manatee County Board of Directors, the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Board of Directors, Manatee Council on Aging Board of Directors, Salvation Army Advisory Board, and Vice-Chair of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Byrd holds a significant fundraising advantage over his two opponents in the race, audit committee member Susan Agruso and citizens oversite committee member Cindy Spray. As of the most recent reporting period, Byrd has raised just over $24,000 in campaign funds, mostly from small contributions. Together with the name recognition that comes with a record as a public official and his family's deep ties to the community, that should make him a formidable candidate.