Manatee County Republican Candidates Forum Event

On March 29, 2012 I participated in the Manatee County Republican Candidate Forum and Fundraiser held at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing located at 7051 Wireless Court in Sarasota. The cost to attend this event was $50.00 per person.

This event was sponsored by the Lakewood Ranch Republican Club, with several of the candidates in attendance donating food and beverages for the event. A silent auction of photo services, golf packages and a fitness membership was held to raise money for the Lakewood Ranch Republican Club and for the Candidates in attendance.

The below listed incumbent candidates (meaning those currently serving in office) each spoke about what they have done while in office and why they should be re-elected. The candidates who are running against the incumbent candidates or for a vacant office (Supervisor of Elections) spoke about their experience, what they hope to do differently and why they should be elected for office instead of the current incumbents.

Bill Galvano, Candidate - Florida Senate, District 21. Website: http://billgalvano.com/

Jim Boyd, Candidate - State Representative, District 68 (incumbent) Website:http://www.jimboyd4house.com/

Rep. Ray Pilon, Candidate - State Representative, District 69 (incumbent) Website:http://electraypilon.com/

Rep. Greg Steube, Candidate - State Representative, District 67 (incumbent) Website:http://www.electgregsteube.com/

Sheriff Brad Steube, Candidate - Sheriff (incumbent) Website: http://bradsteube.com/

Bill Waldron, Candidate – Sheriff. Website: http://waldron4sheriff.com/

Larry Bustle, Candidate - County Commission, District 1 (incumbent) Website: No Campaign Website Found.

Joe McClash, Candidate-County Commission, District 7- At large (incumbent) Website:http://votejoemcclash.com/index.html

Vanessa Baugh, Candidate - County Commissioner, District 5 Website:http://www.vanessabaugh.com/

John Colon, Candidate - County Commissioner, District 5. Website: No Campaign Website Found.

Betsy Benac - Candidate - County Commission, District 7 -  At Large. Website:  No Campaign Website Found.

Robert Moates, Candidate - School Board, District 2. Facebook Political Page:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Robert-Moates-For-Manatee-County-School-Board/118674614886408

Bob Gause, Candidate - School Board, District 4 (incumbent) Website: No Campaign Website Found.

Linda Schaich, Candidate - School Board, District 4. Website: No Campaign Website Found.

Mike Bennett, Candidate - Manatee Co. Supervisor of Elections. Website: No Campaign Website Found.

Jane von Hahmann, Candidate - Manatee Co. Supervisor of Elections. Website: No Campaign Website Found.

Ed Bailey, Candidate - Manatee Co. Supervisor of Elections. Website:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Edward-Bailey-for-Manatee-County-Supervisor-of-Elections/155722567874582?sk=wall

Peter Lombardo, Candidate - State Attorney, District 12. Website:http://peterlombardoforstateattorney.com/

Ed Brodsky, Candidate - State Attorney, District 12: Website: http://edbrodsky.net/

There were several other Republican Candidates running for elected offices in Manatee County who did not attend. A complete list of all candidates running for elected office in Manatee County can be found on the website for the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections.

This is an election year for our local and state offices. There has been little media attention about our local candidates for office, with much of the focus being on the campaigns and elections for President of the United States.

Each candidate must complete a qualifying process to become eligible to have their name placed on the ballot for the upcoming elections. To qualify each candidate must submit the required number of candidate petition signatures obtained from registered voters in Manatee County required for their respective offices or pay a substantial monetary filing fee to qualify for the elections. The number of petitions or monetary amount required varies greatly depending on the office the candidate is running for.

I would encourage all voters to research all the candidates and where applicable print out a candidate petition, fill it out, date and sign it and return the completed form to the candidate by mail or in person to help the candidates get on the ballot for these elections. Filling out a candidate petition is not a promise to vote for a particular candidate and you don’t have to be a member of the same political party as the candidate to complete a candidate petition.

It is very important that as citizens of Manatee County and as a registered voter, we help get as many candidates on the ballot for these elections so that we have a choice on who to vote for. Our Government is supposed to operate under the Constitutional principles of: Of the People, By the People and For the People. Let’s help restore the true Constitutional Principles of our Government by electing good sound candidates to office.

The election of public officials should not be about popularity, who has raised the most money and who has the most endorsements. All of the incumbent politicians in Manatee County have endorsed each other in an effort to retain their offices, while some of the new candidates for offices in Manatee County have been vetted and endorsed by, bi-partisan selection committees and organizations such as Liberty Take Over 2012, after completing a rigorous selection process.

I would encourage everyone to research each candidate and decide for yourself who is going to best serve you and the citizens of Manatee County.

Primary elections will be held in Manatee County on August 14, 2012 where there is more than one Candidate of the same political party running for the same office, with the general elections to be held on November 6, 2012.

More Information can be found about each candidate running for elected offices in Manatee County at: Manatee County Political Candidate Info