Hayes Withdraws from County Commission Race, Baugh Looks to Capitalize, while Klement Considers Jumping in

District 5 County Commissioner Donna Hayes

LAKEWOOD RANCH – Just one week after sending supporters a fundraising email announcing her intention to seek reelection to the Manatee County Commission in 2012, sitting district 5 commissioner Donna Hayes announced yesterday that she has now reconsidered and has decided not to run. Hayes, first elected to the BOCC in 2004, served as chair last year.

Vanessa Baugh, who was an early entrant to compete against Hayes in the Republican primary for the seat, which covers an enormous land area including all of Manatee County east of I-75 and south of SR-64, immediately made use of the news, issuing her own press release commending Hayes' service, while reminding members of the community that she will indeed be on the ballot in 2012.

Hayes, who will stay on to finish her term which expires once the 2012 general election is contested, is a longstanding Republican heavyweight in Manatee County. A native of suburban Pittsburgh, PA, the commissioner has lived in Manatee County since 1980 and is a former chair of the local party's executive committee. In 2002, she also founded the East Manatee Republican Executive Committee. Hayes said in a statement that her reason for making the announcement was to "allow a proven qualified community leader to seek the County Commissioner seat in District 5."

Joanne Klement, wife of recent Manatee County "Organizational Development Manager" Dave Klement, both of whom formerly worked for the Bradenton Herald, is also reportedly considering a run. Several news outlets reported receiving a news release from Klement indicating that a final decision would be forthcoming shortly.