Local Government Candidate Profile: County Commission District 7: Joe McClash

Candidate: Joe McClash (Incumbent)

Party Affiliation: Republican

Age: 55

Hometown: Astoria, N.Y.

Residence: Bradenton

Occupation: County Commissioner for District 7 and owner of McClash Rentals, Inc. and The Bradenton Times, Inc.

Education: Graduate of Manatee High School

Since 1990, Joe McClash has served District 7 on Manatee’s Board of County Commissioners, an at-large district that serves the entire county. The Marine vet and former heating and air conditioning small business owner has built a reputation for smart growth, protection of natural resources and the economic development of Port Manatee.

McClash has been committed to economic and environmental success throughout the county, producing achievements such as the creation of the Port Manatee Encouragement Zone, increasing eco-tourism capabilities, stopping Orimulsion – often called the dirtiest fuel in the world –from being used in power plant boilers, and enforcing wetlands regulations on developers.

McClash was honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps after four years of duty, and at the age of 24 he took over McClash Heating & Cooling, remaining the owner until the company’s sale in 2002.

While commissioner, McClash has sat on and/or chaired many governmental boards including the Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Tourist Development Council, the West Coast Inland Navigation District and the Tampa Bay National Estuary Program. McClash says he looks forward to the Panama Canal's completion in 2014, when he hopes to help utilize trading opportunities, stimulating the economy through diversity and additional jobs.

McClash is the most experienced commissioner on the seven-member board and his knowledge in highly-technical areas like transportation, land use and port matters has been a strong asset. Through his passion and business experience, McClash wishes to preserve Manatee County’s trust by continuing to represent their voices and hold government officials accountable to the taxpayers.