League of Women Voters of Manatee County

Running for Local Office Workshop

Wonder what it takes to run for local office? Already planning to run for office or assisting a candidate? The League of Women Voters of Manatee County’s “Running for Local Office Workshop” is a great way to give a boost to your campaign or educate yourself on campaigning.

January 21, 2023

2023 Run For Local Office Workbook

2023 Program Presenters were:

  • Scott Farrington, Assistant Supervisor of Elections of Manatee County
  • Andre Torkelson, Political Consultant, Keen Campaigning, Inc.
  • Panel discussion with successful campaigners:
    • Retired County commissioner Betsy Benac
    • Mayor of Palmetto Shirley Bryant
    • Bradenton City Council Marianne Barneby
    • Retired School Board member Charlie Kennedy

January 22, 2022

2022 Program Presenters were:

  •  Welcome and “Prepare Yourself to be a Candidate
  • Multitude of tasks speakers:
    • Scott Farrington, Assistant Supervisor of Elections
      • Proper completion and filing of the required paperwork, common errors that generate fines.
      • Collecting signatures
      • Organizing a campaign staff.
    • David Fairey, CPA
      • Setting up an office and record keeping
      • Fund raising
  • Press Relations, Strategies and Social Media
    • Ryan Callahan, Reporter Bradenton Herald
    • Cesar “CJ” Garcia, Owner of Alpha Fortius Consultants, Inc.
  • Office Holder Panel discussion
    • Misty Servia, Manatee County Commissioner
    • John Chappie, Bradenton Beach Mayor
    • Pam Coachman, Bradenton Councilwoman
    • Mary Foreman, member of the Manatee School Board

From Attendees:
Thank you to the LWV Manatee for putting on this morning’s program.  Very well done!  Well organized, excellent choices for the speakers and panelists and as someone who has moderated many LWV candidate forums in Connecticut over the years, without fully appreciating the amount of “behind the scenes” work required by a candidate, it was a bit of an eye opener.  — Randy Miller

EXCELLENT!  Everything seemed to go without a hitch. Great participation and format for inviting questions. This will be a “Must Attend Event” in future election years!! – Karen Curlin