A look at who will be on the local November ballot

With the 2026 primaries behind us, we look to the November general election. Here's a look at who will be on the ballot in local races covered by TBT. Click on the candidate's name to visit their website and learn more about their platform.

Bradenton City Council (Non-Partisan)

Ward 3
Kemp Schuessler
Thomas Schwarz

Ward 4
Lisa Gonzalez Moore
Keith Green

Manatee County Commission

District 1
Sari Lindroos-Valimaki (DEM)
Elizabeth Arnold (REP)

District 2
Amanda Ballard (REP)
Charles Smith (DEM)

District 6
Reggie Bellamy (DEM)
Tara Poulton (REP)

Manatee School Board (Non-Partisan)

District 2
Cindy Spray
Sharon Jefferson

District 5
Cam Bedinghaus
Jonathan Mullis

Florida House of Representatives

District 70
Michael Owen (REP)
Luther Wilkins (DEM)

District 71

District 72
Bill Conerly (REP)
Harvey Shifrin (DEM)

Florida Senate

District 20
Gerald Baldi (DEM)
Jim Boyd (REP)

Congress

District 16
Kelly Kirschner (DEM)
Sydney Gruters (REP)
Mark Davis (NPA)

To learn more about candidates in other races, visit the Manatee Supervisor of Elections candidates page.