The Bradenton Times Primary Election Guide - UPDATED!

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Republican Gubernatorial Primary

Candidate Profile: Rick Scott
Incumbent candidate Rick Scott is seeking a second term as Governor of Florida. Currently running neck and neck in the polls with leading Democratic candidate Charlie Crist  the battle for the Governor's Mansion is currently a toss-up with months to go before the gubernatorial election. Still, Scott will face two opponents on the GOP primary ballot, though neither has been able to mount anything resembling an effective campaign against the Governor.

Candidate Profile: Elizabeth Cuevas-Neunder
Sarasota's Elizabeth Cuevas-Neunder will be on the ballot challenging incumbent Florida Governor Rick Scott for the GOP nomination for the office. Before seeking the nomination for governor, Cueves-Neunder failed in bids for the Florida House in 2006 and the Sarasota County School Board in 2004.

Candidate Profile: Yinka Abosede Adeshina
Yinka Abosede Adeshina will be on the ballot challenging incumbent Florida Governor Rick Scott for the GOP nomination for the office. Despite raising nearly $200,000 and qualifying for matching funds from the state, Adeshina has not campaigned in any meaningful way.





Democratic Gubernatorial Primary

Candidate Profile: Charlie Crist
Charlie Crist is the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination for Governor. After serving one term in the position as a Republican, Crist will seek to oust his former party - and Rick Scott - from the Governor's Mansion if he defeats Nan Rich in the Democratic primary.

Candidate Profile: Nan Rich
Former Florida Senate member Nan Rich will face once-more candidate Charlie Crist in the Democratic primary for Governor. As the underdog in the challenge for her party's nomination, Rich has stressed her liberal credentials in comparison to Crist, while questioning the stances on policy issues of her once-Republican opponent.























Race Profile: State Attorney General Democratic Primary
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is unopposed in the GOP primary and will face either former Secretary of the Department of Children and Families George Sheldon or state House minority leader Perry Thurston, who face off in the August 26 Democratic primary.





Race Profile: 12th Circuit District Court Judicial Race
On the upcoming primary ballot, all Manatee County voters will have the ability to vote in the the 12th Circuit District Court judicial race between Susan Maulucci and Art Jackman. The winner will take the seat being vacated by retiring judge Marc Gilner. Both candidates bring a wealth of legal experience to the table, though their backgrounds are quite different.

 
County Commission

Race Analysis: Manatee County Commission District 4
In District 4, incumbent Manatee County Commissioner Robin DiSabatino will compete in an open Republican Party primary against Tim Norwood on the August 26 ballot. Because no other candidates are in the race and the winner will be awarded the seat on the board, all registered voters in District 4 will be allowed to participate in the election regardless of party affiliation.




Race Analysis: Manatee County Commission District 2
In District 2, incumbent Manatee County Commissioner Michael Gallen will compete in a three-way Democratic Party primary against former MCSO Deputy Corie Holmes and Palmetto City Commissioner Charles Smith. While no Republican has filed to run in the November general election, a write-in candidate has closed off the primary, restricting it to registered Democrats in the district.

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School Board

Race Analysis: Manatee County School Board District 5
In the District 5 school board race, a crowded field of three challengers are seeking the seat currently occupied by board chair Julie Aranibar in an election that could have profound impacts on both the board and the school district it governs. Like all school board races, it will appear on August's primary ballot. If the top vote-getter does not receive a simple majority of votes (50 percent plus 1), the top two will compete in a runoff election on November's ballot. School board races are nonpartisan.


Race Analysis: Manatee County School Board District 4
The Manatee County School Board district 4 race will see former member Frank Brunner challenge first-term incumbent Karen Carpenter. The non-partisan race will appear on the August 26 primary ballot. School board races are contested countywide, meaning all registered voters in Manatee County can participate, regardless of their district.




Race Analysis: Manatee County School Board District 2
The Manatee County School Board district 2 seat is the only one on this year's ballot that guarantees a new face on the board, as incumbent Barbara Harvey is not seeking reelection. In this race, Manatee High School teacher Charlie Kennedy takes on Manatee County native Rodney Jones. The non-partisan race will appear on the August 26 primary ballot. School board races are contested countywide, meaning all registered voters in Manatee County can participate, regardless of their district.

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