MANATEE — Tara Poulton, who currently serves as the District Chief of Staff for Congressman Vern Buchanan, has filed to run for election to the Manatee County Commission. Poulton joins the already crowded District 6 (At-Large) candidate field, which has eight total candidates vying for the position, becoming the seventh Republican candidate to file in the countywide district race.
Poulton’s resume includes more than a decade of public-sector experience, including prior work in Manatee County Government’s Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, where she worked in communications from 2011-2013. From 2013-2018, Poulton served as a senior government affairs regional manager for the Southwest Florida Water Management District, and from 2019-2021, as a division director and county spokesperson for DeSoto County Government.
From 2021-2023, Poulton served as Vice President of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce before joining Buchanan’s administration.
Most recently, beginning in 2023, she’s served as District Director and Chief of Staff for Congressman Buchanan, overseeing district operations across Manatee County and southern Hillsborough County.
In 2024, Poulton was nominated for the “Community Champion” Award from the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance.
Announcing her candidacy for the county commission, Poulton pointed to her tenure in congressional service. Her campaign stated that she oversaw the delivery of $13 million in constituent benefits in 2025 and helped secure $3 million in federal appropriations. These funds were directed toward local initiatives, such as the Valor Commons veterans park.
“Manatee County is home to more than 40,000 veterans who have served our nation with honor,” Poulton said in a press release. “As the wife of a United States Navy veteran and the daughter and sister of law enforcement officers, I believe we have a duty to stand behind those who served and always support our first responders.”
Poulton also outlined her positions on key issues shaping the county’s future, taking a stance against the development of a proposed cruise port terminal near the mouth of Tampa Bay and the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve. The candidate cited concerns about its potential impact on the area's fragile ecosystem.
“Economic opportunity matters, but it must be balanced with protecting the natural resources and neighborhoods that make this community special,” Poulton said. “We can grow, but we must grow responsibly, with infrastructure that keeps pace and safeguards that protect our character and quality of life.”
Poulton, a Lakewood Ranch resident, is a wife, mother, and stepmother. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Florida State University and a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of South Florida.
The county’s District 6 seat is currently represented by Commissioner Jason Bearden, who announced he would not seek reelection earlier this year. Poulton’s announcement is the latest, following former commissioner Reggie Bellamy announcing last week that he, too, would seek election to the At-Large seat. Bellamy is the first Democrat to enter the race.
On the Republican side, Poulton faces six other candidates seeking the nomination: Tony Barrett, John Calovich, Anthony Drake, Ed Ference, Adam Johnson, and Doug Sullivan.
Summarizing her campaign, Poulton shared that she believes Manatee County deserves leadership that protects taxpayers and never forgets who pays the bills. “That’s the standard I will bring to the County Commission,” she said, adding that her focus, if elected, would be on government spending and ensuring county decisions do not add to the financial pressure families are already facing.
“Too many families are being squeezed from every direction. Inflation has driven up property insurance, groceries, gas, and everyday costs, straining working families and seniors on fixed incomes. With one-third of households living paycheck to paycheck, we have a responsibility to act."
Her campaign announcement continued, "Local government can’t fix inflation overnight, but it can stop making it worse. Every dollar we spend belongs to the taxpayers who earned it.”
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rjckeuka4
Chief of Staff for the non-representative Buchanan is enough to nullify my vote!
Wednesday, February 25 Report this
teamj1009
I would totally agree with the first comment. Working for the do nothing yes man Buchanan is not something to tip your hat too. The first thing I thought when I read this was oh she needs a job. So nope no vote here either. If you want some great info regarding her boss look him up in the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. I did and wow was I enlightened.
Wednesday, February 25 Report this