The Manatee County Commission District 3 race features Republican Tal Siddique and Democrat Diana Shoemaker.
In the Republican primary, Siddique won an impressive grassroots victory over a well-funded developer-backed candidate, who we felt represented a grave threat to the community were she to be elected.
While campaigning, Siddique has demonstrated a solid grasp of the issues facing the county. His campaign has focused on returning to a community-driven government, one that actively seeks to engage citizens, understand the will of the community, and be responsive to its needs. We find this quite refreshing, considering the disdain for public input that the current board has so routinely demonstrated, save Commissioner George Kruse.
Siddique has an impressive background in high-level IT, including work for the Veterans Administration and the United States Air Force. His experience in problem-solving complex issues would be an obvious asset. Siddique’s even keel, paired with his impressive ability to articulate effectively on complicated subjects, would undoubtedly serve him well in building consensus among board members.
We have not had much youth on the board in recent years, and while outgoing D3 Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge—the only board member in their thirties for quite some time—proved arrogant and petulant, Siddique has demonstrated a maturity that suggests he can bring a younger perspective without such baggage. I believe he could be an outstanding commissioner.
Diana Shoemaker is the former CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Manatee County. She is a proven leader with a track record of working for the betterment of our community. What’s more, she has crucial experience in an area of grave importance to county government: improving the stock of affordable workforce housing—something that has never been more important to Manatee County than it is right now.
Shoemaker brings many of the same intangibles as Siddique. She is an effective communicator with a measured approach that will lend itself well to building consensus on the board. Her campaign has focused on many of the same themes, including seeking community engagement and encouraging citizens to articulate their vision as our community grows and changes over time.
Shoemaker has a wealth of experience bringing people together to get things done. On a board that has been dominated by partisan ideologues who see working across the aisle as some betrayal, it would be nice to have someone who has been far more committed to building bridges than to building walls. I believe she, too, has the potential to be an outstanding commissioner.
Because we believe that both Siddique and Shoemaker would make excellent commissioners, The Bradenton Times will not be making an endorsement in this race. We suggest that D3 voters take the time to listen to each candidate’s appearance on The Bradenton Times Podcast below and decide which candidate they feel would be a better representative for the district.
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Libby23
I agree with many of the things you say about Siddique However, the fact that early on he came out and endorsed Trump is very troublesome. As a BOCC candidate weighing in on the presidential race is not necessary and reeks of pandering to the MAGA base. Further, he has dealt with other issuers not germane to county governance. Is he setting himself up in the eyes of voters as a candidate for offices more grandiose than BOCC and is this office just a steppingstone? All in all my concerns about pandering and the BoCC being just a short stop on his way to other political offices mean I cannot vote for him. Shoemaker has none of that baggage and is a stronger candidate in so many ways. She’s got my vote!!
5 days ago Report this
jimandlope
I respect the position of neutrality but disagree with the reason for it. The one factor overlooked in this entire issue is that all of the people who have led us astray and catered to outside forces are Republican. While we constantly read of the arrogance and stupidity of our current officeholders they are all part of the Manatee Republican Party. Diana Shoemaker is not. There is your choice. Jim Tierney
5 days ago Report this
Graciela0107
I agree with Libby23. I have met Tal on several occasions and was very relieved that someone young and of his caliber had agreed to represent Manatee County. Until the very vocal endorsement of Trump. It informed me that the qualities I thought he possessed were not there. I will vote for Diana anyway but I also originally thought that Diana had good competition. I was wrong.
5 days ago Report this
Debann
I agree with the article...my vote though would be for Diana...
5 days ago Report this
rjckeuka4
Although Tal made a favorable impression at a presentation I witnessed, anyone supporting MAGA will not get my vote! Also, I spoke with him about the administrative leadership of the County after his presentation. His snap judgements and comments about it lead me to believe he doesn't understand leadership and what is needed. Given this, and If one is unable to make a reasoned judgement about MAGA...I don't want them in the position responsible for 2000 employees and a billion-dollar budget of our tax dollars. Just sayin'!
5 days ago Report this
san.gander
Any candidate supporting "MAGA" (Trump), has some skewed values no matter how well hidden. Vote Shoemaker!
5 days ago Report this
mklimek
I appreciate the additional insight from the comments here. They confirm my suspicions of yet another Trump Republican wanting a position on our commission. I have lived here 40+ years and I am quite fed up with the Republicans running things. Look what we have as a result. There are lots of people who haven't felt represented for a very long time. I am supporting Diana Shoemaker. I don't live in her district but what she does will affect my family.
4 days ago Report this