SARASOTA — Martin Hyde and James Satcher, two men who have previously challenged Congressman Vern Buchanan in the Republican primary, have both recently announced that they will run for office again this year.
Satcher, who represented Manatee County Commission District 1 from 2020 to 2024, was appointed as interim Manatee County Supervisor of Elections when Mike Bennett retired in January of 2024. Satcher lost the Republican primary to Bennett's second-in-command, Scott Farrington. During his time as interim SOE, Satcher was criticized for excessive spending.
Satcher challenged Buchanan in 2016 and managed to secure 19 percent of the vote in a two-way race, despite being vastly outgunned in campaign funding. He said he was waiting to see the newly redrawn district before making a final decision.
"I really liked the district," said Satcher. "So I prayed on it and decided this is what I'm gonna do."
Satcher said he felt there was room for more choices in the race and that he'll campaign on the infrastructure improvements he worked for while representing District 1, referencing roadway and sidewalk initiatives he described as the "invisible work" that often got overshadowed by more controversial issues.
Satcher reminded me that in 2021, he was the commissioner who voted against Policy 2.1.2.8 of the Manatee County Comprehensive Plan, which allowed the BOCC to approve residential and non-residential development east of the Future Development Area Boundary (FDAB) if the land was contiguous and coterminous with existing developments.
District 7 Commissioner George Kruse voted in favor of the policy and was unsuccessful when he later attempted to get the board to revisit it after growth in that corridor exploded following its passage. When the new board tried to rescind the policy, it was stymied by the provisions of SB 180.
Martin Hyde has entered the District 22 Florida Senate Race as an independent to challenge frontrunner James Buchanan, a Republican member of the Florida House and son of Congressman Vern Buchanan.
Hyde unsuccessfully sought to primary the elder Buchanan in the D16 race back in 2022. His campaign gained national attention after video of a traffic stop went viral. Bodycam footage showed Hyde threatening the career of a Sarasota police officer while being cited for speeding and texting.
Hyde was born in the United Kingdom and has lived in Sarasota for 27 years. Senate District 22 covers Sarasota County, as well as a sizable chunk of southeastern Manatee County from SR 70 to University Boulevard.
Buchanan faces a challenge from Vic Rohe in the Republican primary, although Rohe has yet to qualify for the ballot. Two Democrats have filed for the race: Arianna O'Donnell and Lew Wasserman.
District 22 is currently represented by Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota), whose wife, Sydney, is among a field of three Republicans seeking the District 16 Congressional seat Vern is vacating. Along with Satchers, she faces Eddie Speir and Ed Pope, both of whom have already qualified for the ballot. Speir unsuccessfully challenged Buchanan in the 2024 primary but managed to get 39% of the vote, despite running a grassroots campaign against one of the richest members of Congress.
On the Democratic side, Jan Schneider, Glenn Pearson, and Tamika Lyles have qualified for the ballot, while Kelly Kirschner and Jonathan Harris have also filed for the race. Mark Davis has filed to run as an NPA but has not yet qualified.
Most of Manatee County is in State Senate District 20, where Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) is seeking reelection without primary opposition. Democrat John Houman has qualified for the race. Gerald Baldi has filed but has not yet qualified for the ballot. To qualify, a candidate needs to submit the required number of valid signatures or pay a qualification fee.
Editor's note: A correction to this article was made to reflect the correct percent of the vote that James Satcher and Eddie Speir received in their respective primary challenges against Vern Buchanan.
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oracle_of_experience
I prayed on this as well and I was informed you should NOT run for any public office after your horrible term as a commissioner and an even worse tenure as interim tax collector. If you are in need of money, I am sure there are other opportunities as a used car salesman perhaps.
Wednesday, June 10 Report this
Kelly
AMEN
Wednesday, June 10 Report this
Kelly
I say no to Satcher in any capacity.
He voted to remove our original more substantial wetland buffers.- October 10, 2023.
He voted to approve the rezone for East River Ranch development east of the FDAB.- May 24, 2023.
He voted to adopt Manatee County Comp Plan Policy 2.1.2.8 allowing development east of the FDAB. – November 18, 2021.
He did vote to deny the Taylor Ranch rezone, but it passed 5 to 2.- March 23, 2023.
10/10/23 Wetland Buffer Removal: Ballard-Y, Bearden-Y, Kruse-N, KVO-Y, Rahn-Y, Satcher-Y.
5/24/23 East River Ranch Rezone: Ballard-Y, Baugh-Y, Bearden-out, Kruse-N, KVO-Y, Rahn-Y, Satcher-Y.
4/15/21 Transmit Policy 2.1.2.8: Baugh-N, Bellamy-Y, Kruse-N, KVO-Y, Satcher-N, Servia-Y, Whitmore-Y.
11/18/21 Adopt Policy 2.1.2.8: Baugh-Y, Bellamy-Y, Kruse-Y, KVO-Y, Satcher-Y, Servia-Y, Whitmore-Y.
3/23/23 Taylor Ranch Rezone: Ballard-Y, Baugh-Y, Bearden-N, Kruse-Y, KVO-Y, Rahn-Y, Satcher-N.
Wednesday, June 10 Report this
sandy
The man is a grifter. Got elected because of developer money while living in a house rent free from a developer. Appointed SOE with no qualifications over a man with multi-year experience and recommended by the outgoing SOE. Whose paying for his home now? No vote is a no brainer.
Wednesday, June 10 Report this
teamj1009
Great just what we need two more cronies.......while I prayed they were answered that they haven't got a chance.
Wednesday, June 10 Report this
Debann
Check with the developers they may need some clean up people on the land their destroying...you were and continue to be a disgrace in Manatee County...
Wednesday, June 10 Report this
kmskepton
What hole did he just crawl out from???
Thursday, June 11 Report this
Islandman
OMG!!!!!!! NO!!! NO!!!! AND, NO WAY!!!!!!!
Thursday, June 11 Report this
Manatee Watch
no satcher. complete ignorant clown. we saw enough. go get a real job. Gods will is for you to go to work in the real world and stop weasling around. many unskilled laborer jobs are available you will qualify for.
Sunday, June 14 Report this