Disenfranchised Voters in The Manatee County Commission Race

Tampa Bay, Fl
Opinion by: E. Eugene Webb PhD
Author: In Search of Robin, So You Want to Blog.

In the upcoming Manatee County Commissioner at Large Primary race, the Republican candidate, either Ed Hunzeker or George Kruze automatically is elected to the seat.

There is no Democratic or Independent candidate so only registered Republican voters can vote to select who will represent Manatee County citizens at large on the upcoming Manatee County Commission.

From the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Web Site:

Active Registered Voters as of 7/27/20

Republicans:113,088
Democrats:81,125
Others:68,344

Total: 262,557

As you can see from the information above which was taken from the Manatee County Supervisor of Election's website the total combination of Democrats and others, which equals 149,469 voters, there are more voters who cannot vote for their commissioner at large then there are those who can.

With everything that is going on In Manatee County, it's hard to understand why there is no Democrat or Independent, for that matter, that would be willing to step into the race for the Commissioner at Large.

Maybe it was the Hunzeker name that scared everybody off, but what it should have done his light a fuse under at least the Manatee County Democratic power structure.

It really doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what Ed Hunzeker is up to.

With a weak County administrator currently in place, and a County Commission that drifts in the wind like a sailboat with no rudder, the Republican power base, Hunzeker and his developer supporters are seeking the opportunity to be the ultimate political and administrative power source in Manatee County.

NOTE: Whoever wins the Primary becomes the Commissioner at large since there is no Democratic or Independent candidate.

Office: COUNTY COMMISSION - DIST. 7 - AT LRG

Betsy Benac (REP) status(Active-Withdrawn)
Contributions
monetary $26,800.00
in-kind $0.00

Expenditures
expenditures $244.95

Thomas Whitten Dell (WRI) status(Active-Qualified Write-In)

Contributions
monetary $0.00
in-kind $0.00

Expenditures
expenditures$0.00

Paul Finer (REP) status(Active-Withdrawn)

Contributions
monetary $8,000.00
in-kind $0.00

Expenditures
expenditures $8,000.00

Edwin J Hunzeker (REP) status(Active-Qualified)

Contributions
monetary $122,185.00
in-kind $1,382.81

Expenditures
expenditures$90,021.90

George W Kruse (REP) status(Active-Qualified)

Contributions
monetary$51,300.00
in-kind$150.00

Expenditures
expenditures$31,078.05

Here is a list of all of Hunzeker’s contributions and expenses to date. Click here and scroll down 149,469 Disenfranchised Voters in The Manatee County Commissioner At Large Race.

Data was taken from the Manatee County Supervisor of elections web site.

Notice the change in sources and amounts as Hunzeker decides to switch from District 5 to District 7.

Hunzeker has no plan to deal with the current social crisis that is gripping America, no Plan for minority inclusion, no position on law enforcement reform, no statements on Manatee County’s changing demographics as Asian and Hispanic populations increase and no position on workforce housing.

All critical issues that will ultimately affect the quality of life in Manatee County.

If you are a registered Republican living in Manatee County, you need to find your mail in ballot or request one today and vote for George Kruse to give Manatee County a chance.

If Hunzeker wins, it won’t be business as usual in Manatee County, it will be business as the big developers want it, and if you think you will be OK just because you live in Lakewood Ranch think again. No matter how high the gates as Manatee County goes so goes your quality of life.

E-mail Doc at mail to: dr.gwebb@yahoo.com or send me a Facebook (E. Eugene Webb) Friend request. Like or share on Facebook and follow me on TWITTER @DOC ON THE BAY.

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Disclosures: Registered Republican

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