Local Government Councilwoman Barnebey Confirms Mayoral Candidacy

BRADENTON – Bradenton City Councilwoman Marianne Barnebey will enter the mayor’s race for this November’s election. On Thursday, TBT broke the story, reporting that word had leaked that the 14-year City Council veteran was poised to challenge incumbent Mayor Wayne Poston for the seat. In a statement released shortly after the story broke, Councilwoman Barnebey confirmed the rumors and explained why she's seeking the office.

”I believe I have the vision and the ability to pull our community together in order to operate an open and transparent government," Barnebey said in the statement. ”We have tremendous opportunities with the redevelopment of our downtown and neighborhoods. For our community to be successful with this, it is critical that the city government listen to the citizens who pay for the government.“

Barnebey, who currently serves as the city's representative on the Metropolitan Planning Organization (of which she's the former chair), has been highly active in the community. The Manatee High and MCC alum is the founder of Winterwonderland and serves on the board of the Sarasota Bay National Estuary Program, ArtCenter Manatee, the Gold Star Club and Crimestoppers, while chairing the Manatee County Library Board of Trustees.