Candidate: Corie M. Holmes

Hometown: Palmetto

Education: Graduate, Law Enforcement Police Academy, Hillsborough Community College

Occupation: Private Investigator

If you follow Manatee County government, you're likely to recognize Corie Holmes, a gregarious community activist who often gives public comment at various meetings, including the county commission and school board. In 2012, he took his first run at public office, losing to BOCC chair Larry Bustle. This August, Holmes will challenge incumbent Michael Gallen for the district 2 Democratic nomination.

Holmes grew up in Palmetto and works closely with A.C.T, a non-profit organization actively teaching life skills to local at-risk youths. After graduating from Manatee High, Holmes received a degree from the Law Enforcement Police Academy at Hillsborough Community College. Starting out as a volunteer at the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, he accumulated a total of 12 years with the agency before moving into the field of private investigation.

Holmes seeks to act on the behalf of local citizens and strongly opposes outside entities concerned with making “a profit at the expense of our quality of life.” He says that if elected, he will focus on keeping property taxes low, curbing frivolous government spending and creating incentives for businesses to relocate to Manatee County.

Holmes will face Gallen and Palmetto City Commissioner Charles Smith in a three-way Democratic primary this August. There is no Republican on the ballot, but because a write-in candidate has registered, the race will be closed off to Democrats only.

related:

Corie Holmes Takes Another Shot at BOCC