Commissioner Bob McCann issues endorsements for the BOCC Republican primaries

BRADENTON — Manatee County Commissioner Bob McCann has made endorsements for the upcoming Manatee County Commissioner Republican primaries.  McCann, who is serving his first term as District 5 commissioner, overcame a developer-sponsored candidate in 2024 and looks to be backing other grassroots candidates this time around.

In District 2,  McCann has endorsed his former aide, Ed Bailey, who is mounting a primary challenge against incumbent Republican Amanda Ballard. The winner will face Democrat and former District 2 Commissioner Charles Smith in the general election.

In District 4, McCann endorsed community activist Glen Gibellina, who is challenging incumbent Republican Mike Rahn in the primary. No Democrat has filed to run for the race.

In the crowded, countywide District 6 race, McCann has endorsed John Calovich, who faces Tony Barrett, Tara Poulton, and Ed Ference in a Republican primary to replace incumbent Jason Bearden, who will not seek a second term. The winner will face Democrat, and former District 2 Commissioner Reggie Bellamy in the general election.

In the District 1 primary, a special election to complete the term of recently departed commissioner Carol Felts, McCann endorsed Liz Arnold.

"You won't find anybody more like Carol Felts than Liz," said McCann, who was a close ally of Felts on the board. So far, she faces Anthony Drake, who switched from the District 6 race after Felts' passing.

"These are the people who will give the Manatee County Government back to the people of Manatee County," McCann said of his picks.