Q&A: Meet Jonathan Mullis, Manatee County School Board District 5 Candidate

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — Voters in the Nov. 3 general election will decide between Camden “Cam” Bedinghaus and Jonathan Mullis in the race for the Manatee County School Board District 5 seat.

They were the top two vote-getters in the Aug. 17 primary, which sent them to the Nov. 3 runoff.

Mullis earned more than 35 percent of the vote in the primary, while Bedinghaus took home about 34 percent, according to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections office. A third candidate, Chantal Wilford, earned nearly 31 percent of the vote.

District 5 represents parts of east Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, and Myakka City, in eastern and southeast Manatee County.

Patch sent a questionnaire to both candidates. Below are Mullis’ unedited responses.

Name: Dr. Jonathan Mullis

Office Sought: Manatee County School Board, District 5

Political Party Affiliation: I am a registered Republican. However, this is a nonpartisan school board race, and both candidates in the general election runoff are registered Republicans. If elected, my responsibility will be to represent every student, parent, educator, and community member, regardless of political affiliation. My decisions will be guided by the needs of our schools, the facts before the board, and what best serves the entire community.

Age: 49

City or Town of Residence: Lakewood Ranch, Florida

Education: I earned my Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Northeastern University in 2000 and my Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from Simmons University in 2004.

Occupation: I am the owner and CEO of Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida in Bradenton.

Family Background: I have been married to my wife, Sonia, for 21 years, and we have two teenage daughters. Our youngest began kindergarten in Manatee County and is now a freshman in a local public high school. Our oldest entered the district in fourth grade after we moved to Lakewood Ranch, graduated in May, and is now a freshman at the University of South Florida in Tampa.

If elected, I would be the only school board member with children currently attending Manatee County public schools. That experience would allow me to bring the perspective of a current parent to the board and a firsthand understanding of how its decisions affect students and families.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No. No one in my family works in politics or government. However, both of my parents are retired elementary school teachers, giving me an early appreciation for educators and public schools.

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

I have not previously held elected or appointed public office. My leadership experience comes from healthcare management, business ownership, and service with community organizations and boards throughout Manatee County.

Campaign website and social media:

• Website
• Facebook

Why are you seeking this office?

I am running to provide experienced, accountable leadership and bring the perspective of a current public-school parent to the board. I want to support students and educators, listen to parents, use taxpayer resources responsibly, and help ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.

What sets you apart from the other candidates seeking this post?

I bring a distinctive combination of business, healthcare, community leadership, and firsthand parental experience. Running healthcare organizations has taught me to manage budgets, lead employees, solve complex problems, and remain accountable for results. I also have a child currently attending a Manatee County public school, so I experience district decisions directly.

What issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

My priorities include improving student achievement and reading comprehension, supporting and retaining effective teachers, maintaining safe schools, strengthening communication with parents, and ensuring responsible use of taxpayer dollars. I also want greater transparency, accountability, and long-term planning throughout the district. We must prepare students for life after graduation by expanding career and technical education options in our high schools, while ensuring they have the skills, knowledge, and opportunities needed to succeed in college, careers, and their communities. Every decision should begin with what best serves students.

What accomplishments in your past demonstrate that you can handle this job?

My professional and community leadership demonstrates that I can handle the responsibilities of this position. I built and operated a physical therapy practice with multiple locations in Massachusetts and now serve as owner and CEO of Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida in Bradenton. I also previously managed the Outpatient Rehabilitation Therapies Department at Boston Medical Center. These roles required me to oversee budgets, lead employees, make difficult decisions, solve complex problems, and remain accountable for results.

Locally, I have served as president of the Bradenton Kiwanis Club and Junior Leadership Manatee, along with serving on numerous boards and committees. These experiences taught me how to listen, build consensus, and work with people from different backgrounds. Combined with my perspective as a current Manatee County public-school parent, this record has prepared me to serve effectively on the school board.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

The best advice ever shared with me was to listen to understand, not simply to respond. Whether leading a business, serving in the community, or raising a family, I have found that good decisions begin with listening carefully, asking thoughtful questions, and considering perspectives different from my own. This is especially relevant to serving on the school board, where every decision can affect students, parents, educators, and taxpayers differently. A board member must hear all sides, study the facts, and remain focused on what best serves students and the community as a whole.

Is there anything else voters should know about you and your positions?

What I most want undecided voters to know is that I am running to serve, not to advance a political agenda. I will bring independent judgment, steady leadership, and the perspective of a parent with a child currently attending a Manatee County public school.

I understand that school board decisions have real consequences for students, families, educators, and taxpayers. I will listen carefully, ask difficult questions, study the facts, and make decisions based on what best serves our schools and community. My professional and community leadership experience has prepared me for this responsibility, and I am ready to serve effectively from day one. I would be honored to earn your vote in November.