Manatee County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
26 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 12 Manatee County races, led by the Manatee County Commissioner District 1 contest.
County offices
Commissioner District 1Elizabeth Arnold (R) · Sari Lindroos-Valimaki (D)
Elizabeth Arnold (Republican) and Sari Lindroos-Valimaki (Democratic) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Manatee County Commissioner District 1.
Elizabeth Arnold Republican
- Conservation: 'Protect What We Have' by preserving Old Florida rural lands and fighting overdevelopment in sensitive areas
- Infrastructure first: 'We cannot keep approving development without the roads, drainage, and emergency services to support it,'
- Public safety: improve EMS response times and better pay for EMS personnel
Per the campaign site.
About Elizabeth Arnold
Per Suncoast Searchlight, Arnold is a retired executive from Florida Power Corp., where she handled cash management and efficiency improvements. Her campaign site says she spent over two decades with Florida Power Corporation, rising to Director managing major financial operations, after earlier efficiency-review work for the City of St. Petersburg.
$20,148 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
Sari Lindroos-Valimaki Democratic
- Reassess the county's long-term plan
- Prevent development-related loss of natural land
- Restore integrity in governance: 'We need integrity back in government, and decency,'
Per the Suncoast Searchlight.
About Sari Lindroos-Valimaki
Per Suncoast Searchlight, Lindroos-Valimaki works in cybersecurity and previously ran for the county's at-large District 7 commission seat in 2024.
$11,406 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
August 18 primary result: Elizabeth Arnold won the six-way Republican primary for the open seat with 28 percent, per the Supervisor of Elections' unofficial results, and advances to the November 3 ballot, where a qualified write-in line also prints.
Full race pageCommissioner District 2Amanda Ballard (R) · Charles B. Smith Sr. (D)
Amanda Ballard Republican Incumbent
- Housing affordability and reducing homelessness
- Addiction recovery and job training
- Strengthening families in Manatee County
Per the campaign site.
About Amanda Ballard
Per her official Manatee County commissioner biography on mymanatee.org, Ballard worked for nearly eight years as an attorney in the local child welfare system before being elected to the County Commission in November 2022; she holds a J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2015.
$56,521 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
Charles B. Smith Sr. Democratic
- Improving housing conditions
- Encouraging smart growth that benefits all residents
- Revitalizing the local economy and fostering business growth
Per the campaign site.
About Charles B. Smith Sr.
Business executive and co-founder, president and CEO of Manatee Harvesting Co. Inc., per his campaign site. At age 26 he became the first African American elected to the Palmetto City Commission, was re-elected four times and served as Vice Mayor, and he previously served as a Manatee County Commissioner, including as 2nd Vice Chairman and Port Authority Commissioner, per his campaign site. Charles B. Smith Sr. appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Manatee County Commissioner District 2, per the Supervisor of Elections' official qualified-candidate list.
$8,475 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
August 18 primary result: incumbent Amanda Ballard won the Republican primary 67.5 to 32.5 percent over Edward Bailey, per the Supervisor of Elections' unofficial results, and meets Democrat Charles Smith on the November 3 ballot.
Full race pageCommissioner District 4Mike Rahn (R)
Mike Rahn (Republican) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Manatee County Commissioner District 4.
Mike Rahn Republican Incumbent
Per his official Manatee County commissioner biography on mymanatee.org, Rahn worked for over 35 years as a residential mortgage leader in the Manatee/Sarasota market and is a former U.S. Marine Corps officer who served 13 years including in Operation Desert Storm; he was elected to the County Commission in November 2022, served as its Chair in 2024, and previously served on the Manatee County Planning Commission (2016-2022).
$65,450 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
August 18 primary result: incumbent Mike Rahn won the Republican primary 67.5 to 32.5 percent over Glen Gibellina, per the Supervisor of Elections' unofficial results, and advances to the November 3 ballot, where a qualified write-in line also prints.
Full race pageCommissioner District 6 (At Large)Tara Poulton (R) · Reggie J. Bellamy (D)
Tara Poulton Republican
- Fiscal responsibility - holding the line on government spending to address affordability
- Environmental protection, including opposing the proposed Manatee County cruise terminal over ecosystem concerns
- Responsible growth and economic development with taxpayer protection
Per the campaign site.
About Tara Poulton
Poulton serves as district chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, overseeing operations across Manatee and southern Hillsborough counties, per the campaign site. She previously served as vice president of public policy and workforce partnerships at the Manatee Chamber of Commerce and worked in government operations for DeSoto County, per the campaign site. She holds a master's degree in public administration from Florida State University and a bachelor's degree in communication from the University of South Florida, per the campaign site.
$45,901 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
Reggie J. Bellamy Democratic
- Infrastructure-first growth - roads, sewer, and stormwater addressed before development approvals
- Environmental protection balancing economic growth with stewardship of water resources and ecosystems
- Fiscal accountability - cutting waste, improving efficiency, and transparent use of taxpayer dollars
Per the campaign site.
About Reggie J. Bellamy
Executive Director of the Palmetto Youth Center, U.S. military veteran, and former Manatee County Commissioner, per his campaign website reggiebellamy.com; he is not the current officeholder - the county's two at-large commission seats are held by George Kruse and Jason Bearden, per mymanatee.org.
$9,725 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
August 18 primary result: Tara Poulton won the Republican primary with 38.3 percent over Edward Ference, John Calovich and Tony Barrett, per the Supervisor of Elections' unofficial results, and meets Democrat Reggie Bellamy on the November 3 countywide ballot.
Full race pageSchool board
School Board District 2Nonpartisan race · Sharon Jefferson · Cindy Spray
Sharon Jefferson and Cindy Spray are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Manatee County School Board District 2.
Sharon Jefferson Nonpartisan
- Support Title I schools and economically disadvantaged students
- Improve teacher retention
- Address students' mental and emotional needs and eliminate educational gaps
Per the Suncoast Searchlight.
About Sharon Jefferson
Jefferson has been an educator in Manatee County for more than 26 years and currently teaches social studies at Sugg Middle School, per Suncoast Searchlight, which also reports she serves as education chair for the Manatee County NAACP.
$3,221 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
Cindy Spray Nonpartisan Incumbent
- 'Putting students first' through increased classroom resources and teacher support
- Transportation improvements and school security
- School choice, including extending millage funding to charter schools
Per the Suncoast Searchlight.
About Cindy Spray
Spray is the sitting School Board of Manatee County District 2 member; Suncoast Searchlight does not detail her professional occupation outside the board. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
$26,426 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
August 18 result: incumbent Cindy Spray (34.2 percent) and Sharon Jefferson (26.8 percent) advance to a November 3 runoff, per the Supervisor of Elections' unofficial results and WUSF.
Full race pageSchool Board District 5Nonpartisan race · Camden T. Bedinghaus · Jonathan Mullis
Camden T. Bedinghaus and Jonathan Mullis are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Manatee County School Board District 5.
Camden T. Bedinghaus Nonpartisan
- Declare a 'reading emergency' and refocus on common-sense academics, citing that nearly half of district students cannot read at grade level
- Accountability and transparency, including more parental access to information (a parent portal to view lesson plans)
- Teach real-world skills such as personal finance, budgeting, and economics
Per the campaign site.
About Camden T. Bedinghaus
Per Suncoast Searchlight, Bedinghaus is the 23-year-old director of the Turning Point USA Manatee County Hub and works as an independent journalist for Coastal Conservative News; his personal website describes him as a Christian conservative author, speaker, and independent journalist.
$5,200 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
Jonathan Mullis Nonpartisan
- Academic excellence: proficiency in reading, writing, math, and science
- Expand vocational and technical programs with real-world work exposure
- Support teachers by reducing administrative burdens, plus school safety and fiscal responsibility
Per the campaign site.
About Jonathan Mullis
Per his campaign site votemullis.com, Mullis is owner and CEO of Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida in Bradenton with over 17 years as a small business owner; Suncoast Searchlight likewise describes him as a physical therapist and business owner.
$27,863 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
August 18 result: Jonathan Mullis (35.3 percent) and Camden Bedinghaus (34.1 percent) advance to a November 3 runoff, per the Supervisor of Elections' unofficial results.
Full race pageDistricts and boards
Mosquito Control District Group 1Nonpartisan race · Scott Johnson · Rodney O'Quinn · Charles Richards
Scott Johnson, Rodney O'Quinn and Charles Richards are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Manatee County Mosquito Control District Group 1.
Scott Johnson Nonpartisan
Scott Johnson appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Manatee County Mosquito Control District Group 1, per the Supervisor of Elections' official qualified-candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 29, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Scott Johnson.
Rodney O'Quinn Nonpartisan
Per kellerspestcontrol.com/about-us, O'Quinn is the sole owner and president of Keller's Pest Control, a Bradenton-based family pest control company he joined as a service technician in 1997; his Manatee County candidate filing (VoterFocus) lists a kellerspestcontrol.com email as his contact. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Charles Richards Nonpartisan
- Favors biological control methods over excessive chemical spraying
- Emphasizes cost-effective solutions and efficient budget management
- Proposes more community education on mosquito management
Per the campaign site.
About Charles Richards
Land management professional since 1984 and owner of Rick Richards Inc, an ecological management company specializing in native plant restoration, per his campaign site. He previously served as a Fire Commissioner for the Myakka City Fire Control District, per his campaign site. Charles Richards appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Manatee County Mosquito Control District Group 1, per the Supervisor of Elections' official qualified-candidate list.
$1,200 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
This race was not on the August 18 primary ballot: all three candidates appear on the November 3 general ballot, per the Supervisor of Elections' certified general-election list.
Full race pageBy address
These seats are elected by district; only the district covering your address is on your ballot.
Manatee County is split across 5 Florida Senate and House districts.
Find your districts by addressFlorida Senate: 2 districtsDistricts 20, 22
Florida Senate District 20Gerald Baldi (D) · Jim Boyd (R)
Gerald Baldi Democratic
- Protecting clean water and Florida's natural heritage
- Lowering energy costs and increasing energy independence
- Increasing government transparency and accountability
Per the campaign site.
About Gerald Baldi
Gerald Baldi's career has spanned advertising, real estate, financial services and banking, according to his campaign site. He has been an organizer of community rallies with Indivisible Manatee, per The Bradenton Times.
Jim Boyd Republican Incumbent
- tax relief for families and small businesses
- insurance cost reform
- affordable housing, including the Live Local Act
Per the campaign site.
About Jim Boyd
Jim Boyd represents Florida Senate District 20, covering parts of Manatee and Hillsborough counties, and serves as Republican Majority Leader in the Florida Senate, per his campaign site. He sits on the Banking and Insurance, Fiscal Policy, Regulated Industries, and Rules committees, per his campaign site.
Gerald Baldi (Democratic), Jim Boyd (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Florida Senate District 20; Jim Boyd is the sitting member, per the Florida Senate' official roster. Major-party nominees were chosen at the August 18 primary or advanced unopposed; minor-party and no-party-affiliation candidates qualify directly for the November ballot. The field is the Florida Division of Elections' certified 2026 General Election candidate list. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageFlorida Senate District 22James Buchanan (R) · Martin Hyde (No Party Affiliation) · Lew Wasserman (D)
James Buchanan Republican
James Buchanan is a two-term member of the Florida House of Representatives from District 74, running for Florida Senate District 22 to succeed term-limited Sen. Joe Gruters, according to Florida Politics. He has been endorsed by the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Senate Republican leadership. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
Martin Hyde No Party Affiliation
- Local representation independent of party and developer influence
- Direct constituent engagement through town halls and meet-and-greets
Per the campaign site.
About Martin Hyde
Martin Hyde is an independent candidate running to succeed Sen. Joe Gruters in Florida Senate District 22. A Sarasota resident of 27 years born in the United Kingdom, he brings nearly 40 years of business experience, per his campaign site.
Lew Wasserman Democratic
Lew Wasserman is the Democratic candidate for Florida Senate District 22, covering all of Sarasota County and southern Manatee County, an open seat left by retiring Sen. Joe Gruters. He previously had a career in the entertainment industry, per WMNF. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
James Buchanan (Republican), Martin Hyde (No Party Affiliation), Lew Wasserman (Democratic) are on the November 3 ballot for Florida Senate District 22. Not on the November ballot: Joe Gruters, the sitting member per the roster. Major-party nominees were chosen at the August 18 primary or advanced unopposed; minor-party and no-party-affiliation candidates qualify directly for the November ballot. The field is the Florida Division of Elections' certified 2026 General Election candidate list. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageFlorida House: 3 districtsDistricts 70, 71, 72
Florida House District 70Michael Owen (R) · Luther Keith Wilkins (D)
Michael Owen Republican Incumbent
- Keep taxes low and oppose fee increases
- Invest in roads and infrastructure to address traffic congestion in the county
- Require a more stringent approval process for development to manage growth
Per the campaign site.
About Michael Owen
Michael Owen is a small business owner who has lived in Hillsborough County for more than 40 years and attended Bloomingdale High School, according to his campaign site. He previously served as the Hillsborough County Commissioner for District 4, per Florida Politics.
Luther Keith Wilkins Democratic
- Increasing teacher pay and modernizing school buildings
- Expanding workforce housing supply with responsibly planned growth
- Improving veterans' access to VA healthcare, mental health services and jobs
Per the campaign site.
About Luther Keith Wilkins
Luther Keith Wilkins served 12 years in the U.S. Army and Army National Guard, including work safeguarding nuclear assets, per his campaign site. He has a background in business, real estate, marketing and insurance, and is challenging incumbent Rep. Michael Owen for a second time, per WMNF.
Michael Owen (Republican), Luther Keith Wilkins (Democratic) are on the November 3 ballot for Florida House District 70; Michael Owen is the sitting member, per the Florida House of Representatives' official roster. Major-party nominees were chosen at the August 18 primary or advanced unopposed; minor-party and no-party-affiliation candidates qualify directly for the November ballot. The field is the Florida Division of Elections' certified 2026 General Election candidate list. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageFlorida House District 71Ocean Fitts (D) · Joseph Hoolihan (No Party Affiliation) · Jordan Varnadore (R)
Ocean Fitts Democratic
- Improving affordability for Manatee County residents
- Strengthening government accountability
Per The Bradenton Times.
About Ocean Fitts
Ocean Fitts is a candidate for Florida House District 71 in Manatee County, per the campaign site. Fitts was raised by great-grandparents in St. Petersburg after moving from Chicago at age five, and is studying Public Policy and Administration at St. Petersburg College, per the campaign site. Fitts paused college during the pandemic to help care for a great-grandmother living with dementia before returning to finish the degree, per the campaign site.
Joseph Hoolihan No Party Affiliation
Joseph Hoolihan is a Bradenton real estate professional and business consultant with more than 20 years of experience in sales, customer service and business development, according to the Bradenton Times. He is running for Florida House District 71 with no party affiliation.
Jordan Varnadore Republican
Jordan Varnadore is the Republican candidate for Florida House District 71, per his campaign site. He is a lifelong, multi-generational resident of Palmetto in Manatee County and a graduate of Palmetto High School, per his campaign site. Varnadore serves as Vice President of Marketing at GarrettRichard, a family business he co-founded with his father, per his campaign site.
Ocean Fitts (Democratic), Joseph Hoolihan (No Party Affiliation), Jordan Varnadore (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Florida House District 71. Not on the November ballot: William Cloud "Will" Robinson Jr., the sitting member per the roster. Major-party nominees were chosen at the August 18 primary or advanced unopposed; minor-party and no-party-affiliation candidates qualify directly for the November ballot. The field is the Florida Division of Elections' certified 2026 General Election candidate list. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageFlorida House District 72William "Bill" Conerly (R) · Harvey Shifrin (D)
William "Bill" Conerly Republican Incumbent
William "Bill" Conerly is the Republican candidate for Florida House District 72 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Florida Division of Elections' certified 2026 General Election candidate list. William "Bill" Conerly is a sitting member for the district, per the Florida House of Representatives' official roster. Bill Conerly is a Lakewood Ranch resident and engineer who previously served in the U.S. Army before his 2024 election to the Florida House, according to Florida Politics. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
Harvey Shifrin Democratic
Harvey Shifrin is an attorney and certified public accountant with decades of professional experience, according to Florida Politics. He is the Democratic candidate for Florida House District 72, covering eastern and southern Manatee County. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
William "Bill" Conerly (Republican), Harvey Shifrin (Democratic) are on the November 3 ballot for Florida House District 72; William "Bill" Conerly is the sitting member, per the Florida House of Representatives' official roster. Major-party nominees were chosen at the August 18 primary or advanced unopposed; minor-party and no-party-affiliation candidates qualify directly for the November ballot. The field is the Florida Division of Elections' certified 2026 General Election candidate list. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageSee your full ballot
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Who is on the ballot in Manatee County, Florida on November 3, 2026?
Manatee County sample ballot 2026: see where the mosquito control district, commissioner and school board candidates stand on housing, jobs and growth. Every candidate profile on this page names the official filing or campaign source it came from.
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Candidate roster last updated Sep 29, 2026 from official election sources.