MANATEE COUNTY — Former Manatee County Commissioner Reggie Bellamy, who represented District 2 from 2018 to 2022, has filed to run for the countywide District 6 seat in 2026. Bellamy, a Democrat, is this far unopposed for his party's nomination.
Bellamy defeated incumbent commissioner Charles Smith in the 2018 Democratic primary before easily winning the general election. He was then defeated by current District 2 Commissioner Amanda Ballard in 2022, after the Palmetto/Bradenton-central corridor district's map was redrawn to be more favorable to Republican candidates.
Ballard, a Republican, is seeking reelection to the District 2 seat. She faces a primary challenge from Ed Bailey Jr. In an effort to regain the seat, Smith has once again filed as a Democrat, while two NPA candidates—Shavonda Griffin and Joe Morris—have also filed to run.
Winning a countywide "at-large" seat as a Democrat will be a tall order for Bellamy, who is likely hoping that predictions of a blue wave in the midterms could put the reliably red seat in play.
On the Republican side, six candidates—Tony Barrett, John Calovich, Anthony Drake, Ed Ference, Adam Johnson, and Doug Sullivan—have filed to seek the nomination. Incumbent first-term District 6 Republican Jason Bearden will not seek re-election.
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ruthlawler
Bravo! Reggie Bellamy has experience as a former County Commissioner, deep roots in Manatee County, is a military veteran and has displayed high integrity. THIS is the leadership we need! Ruth Lawler
Tuesday, February 24 Report this