Incumbent District 2 Commissioner Amanda Ballard narrowly survived a challenge from former D2 Commissioner Charles Smith in Tuesday's Manatee County Commission Race. Smith had been leading from the earliest reported precincts until Ballard pulled into the lead once the results of the 14th and final precinct reported. The final vote total was 10,300 votes to 10,103.
In deep red District 1, grassroots Republican Liz Arnold defeated grassroots Democrat Sari Lindroos-Valimaki 65% to 35%. In the District 6 countywide race for the seat being vacated by Republican Jason Bearden, Republican Tara Poulton mirrored other countywide races on the ballot, defeating Democrat Reggie Bellamy 58% to 42%.
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graumli22
Too bad Ballard was rewarded with another term. I guess voters are just fine with commissioners who are funded and paid for by developers. She screwed us before, now she'll have lots of time to do it some more!
40 minutes ago Report this
Debann
Yeppers..BALLARD is pathetic and only cares for certain areas of district 2...we voted for Smith..BALLARD WILL CATER TO THE DEVELOPERS JUST AS SHE DID HER FIRST TERM...REAP WHAT YOU SOW MANATEE COUNTY...
20 minutes ago Report this