Voters deserve more than flyers, social media posts, or candidate websites. The most reliable way to understand a candidate’s priorities is to hear directly from the individuals running for federal, county, and county office before casting a ballot in the August 18 primary.
The League of Women Voters of Manatee County hosted forums for all Democratic and Republican races appearing on their respective primary ballots, as well as the nonpartisan Manatee County School Board contests. Candidate forums are listed below by office. With only two exceptions, every race on the Manatee County primary ballot had a corresponding forum. The candidate lists include all individuals who agreed to participate, as well as those who were unable to attend or declined.
METV also recorded the forums and will include them in their broadcast programming. When a candidate participated in a Bradenton Times podcast, their name is linked to that episode.
All voters, including unaffiliated voters, will be able to vote for Manatee County School Board candidates on Primary Election Day, August 18. If one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the race is over; otherwise, the top two candidates move on to the November election.
Forums by Type of Office
US House of Representatives:
District 16 Democratic Candidate Forum – June 18
- Candidates: Jonathan Harris, Kelly Kirschner, Tamika Lyles, Glenn Pearson, Jan Schneider
- Click Here to View the Democratic District 16 Forum Video
District 16 Republican Candidate Forum – July 9
- Candidates: Sydney Gruters, Edward Pope, Eddie Spier, [Note: Sydney Gruters chose not to participate]
- Click Here to View the Republican District 16 Forum Video
Florida Senate
District 20 Democratic Candidate Forum – July 7
- Candidates: Gerald Baldi, John Houman
- Click Here to View the Democratic District 20 Forum Video
District 22 Republican Candidate Forum
- Candidates: [Note: James Buchanan and Vic Rohe did not respond]
Florida House of Representatives:
District 71 Republican Candidate Forum – June 25
- Candidates: Melton Little, Dylan Paul Modarelli, Jordan Varnador [Note: Jordan Varnador was unable to attend and provided notice.]
- Click Here to View the Republican District 71 Forum Video
District 72 Republican Candidate Forum – July 2
- Candidates: Bill Conerly, John Phillips, III
- Click Here to View the Republican District 72 Forum Video
Manatee Board of County Commissioners:
District 1 – Republican Candidate Forum – July 8
- Candidates: Elizabeth Arnold, John Dunn, Mike Harrison, Adam Johnson, Mark Stanoch, Leland Taylor
- Click Here to View the Republican District 1 Forum Video
District 2 – Republican Candidate Forum – July 1
District 4 – Republican Candidate Forum
- Candidates: Glen Gibellina, Mike Rahn [Note: Incumbent Mike Rahn did not respond. The League will not hold a forum if only one candidate is available and willing.]
District 6 – At-Large Republican Candidate Forum – June 23
- Candidates: Tony Barrett, John Calovich, Edward Ference, Tara Poulton [Note: John Calovich was unable to attend and provided notice.]
- Click Here to View the Republican District 6 Forum Video
Manatee County School Board:
District 2 Candidate Forum – June 24
- Candidates: James T Golden, Sharon Jefferson, Margi Nanney, Cindy Spray, JT White [Note: Margi Nanney was unable to attend and provided notice. James Golden did not appear.]
- Click Here to View the School District 2 Forum Video
District 5 Candidate Forum – June 30
- Candidates: Camden T Bedinghaus, Jonathan Mullis, Chantal Wilford
- Click Here to View the School District 5 Forum Video
