MANATEE -- The Manatee branch of the national Tea Party has released its endorsement list of candidates for the upcoming general election on November 2. Tea Party Manatee is heavily active in campaigning for state and local races in Manatee County primarily for Republican candidates. The organization believes elected officials should be accountable to the office they serve and to act on behalf of the will of the people.
In Manatee County Commission races, Tea Party Manatee is endorsing Republican incumbent Carol Whitmore for the District 6 seat and Republican Robin DiSabatino over Democrat Roger Galle for the District 4 seat to be vacated by Ron Getman.
The organization is particularly vocal about its support for Julie Aranibar for the County School Board District 3 seat, which they hope will give the Manatee County School Board a conservative majority for the first time in many years.
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Tea Party Manatee Endorsements:
United States Senate - Marco Rubio
United States Rep., Dist. 11 - Mike Pendegast
United States Rep., Dist. 13 - Vern Buchanan
State Governor - Rick Scott/Jennifer Carroll
State Attorney General - Pam Bondi
State Chief Financial Officer - Jeff Atwater
Commissioner of Agriculture - Adam Putnam
State Senator, Dist 18 - No endorsement
State Senator, Dist 55 - No endorsement
State Senator, Dist 67 - Greg Steube
State Senator, Dist 68 - Jim Boyd
State Senator, Dist 69 - Ray Pilon
County Commission, Dist 2 - Elected in primary
County Commission, Dist 4 - Robin DiSabatino
County Commission, Dist 6 - Carol Whitmore
County School Board, Dist 1 - No endorsement
County School Board, Dist 3 - Julie Aranibar
County School Board, Dist 5 - Elected in primary