MANATEE COUNTY – Democrat Diana Shoemaker and Republican Talha “Tal” Siddique both seek the District 3 Manatee County Commission seat currently held by Kevin Van Ostenbridge.
Shoemaker announced her candidacy on Sept. 22. Siddique announced his candidacy on Sept. 19.
District 3 includes all of Anna Maria Island, Cortez, Palma Sola, and a portion of west Bradenton. The county commission primary election will conclude on Aug. 20. The primary election winners will square off in the general election that concludes on Nov. 5.
Tal Siddique
Siddique earned a bachelor’s degree in organizational sciences with a minor in computer science from The George Washington University and he’s served with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Air Force.
Siddique is a member of the 2023-24 class of Leadership Manatee. He’s also a member of the Bradenton Kiwanis Club, Manatee Young Professionals, Young Republicans, Lakewood Ranch Republican Club, Lakewood Ranch Young Leaders Alliance, the Elks Lodge, Manatee Tiger Bay Club, the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee Alumni Board and his community advocacy group, Speak Out Manatee.
“I have had a tremendous amount of encouragement from Manatee County residents, which has been humbling. Our residents are frustrated with mismanagement, and the scandalous theft of property and personal data by politicians who think this is an appropriate use of their power and our taxpayer dollars. They clearly want to see new leadership, as do I,” Siddique stated in his campaign announcement press release.
The press release notes that Siddique and his wife, Kristen Truong, are deeply rooted in the Manatee County community and devoted parishioners of Saints Peter and Paul the Apostles Catholic Church.
“Tal’s candidacy for Manatee County Commission, District 3, is founded on a genuine desire to advocate for the needs and aspirations of the community, bringing forth a fresh and inclusive perspective to enhance the lives of all residents,” his press release says.
Siddique has already been endorsed by Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth and Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer.
Learn more at www.votetal.com.
Diana Shoemaker
Shoemaker was president and CEO of Manatee Habitat for Humanity until 2021. For 12 years, she worked to create affordable housing for Manatee County residents.
In 2021, she became executive director of the Elders Action Network, a non-profit organization that works to create greater social and environmental justice.
From 2007 to 2009, she served as director for Family Promise of Manatee County, a non-profit providing shelter and resources to homeless families. She was the chair of the Manatee County Affordable Housing Task Force in 2016 and a member of the Bradenton Housing Advisory Committee. She graduated from the Leadership Manatee program and the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance Executive Academy.
Shoemaker grew up in Long Island, N.Y. She earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Ohio University and a master’s degree from Columbia University in 1988. She, her husband, Mark, and their two children moved to Bradenton in 1999.
According to her campaign announcement press release, Shoemaker is running to restore the voice of District 3 voters whose concerns have been overlooked or ignored on issues such as wetlands protection or the proposed parking garage on Holmes Beach.
“It’s time that we have leadership that understands their responsibility to listen to their voices,” she said.
“What we want from those who lead our community is integrity, open dialogue and attention to critical local issues necessary for creating fair and balanced policy. In recent years, leaders have pushed through policy decisions over and sometimes in spite of clear opposition from the public they represent. The issues we’re struggling with right now are nonpartisan issues. Having clean water and solving traffic problems are nonpartisan issues,” Shoemaker said.
Learn more at www.electshoemaker.com.
Kevin Van Ostenbridge
First elected in 2020, Van Ostenbridge filed his District 3 reelection campaign paperwork on June 1 and he’s already received $170,000 in campaign donations.
In a written statement provided to The Sun, Van Ostenbridge said, “Conservatives in Manatee County know that in my first term, I have led their county commission in delivering two tax cuts, record investments in traffic-relieving infrastructure, renewed our commitment to our sheriff’s office and its deputies and kept the economic engine of our community open for business.
“Conservatives know we’ve gone to unprecedented lengths to protect the right to life and the second amendment in Manatee County.
“Conservatives know that protecting our environment is a priority of mine including moving forward with conserving hundreds of acres of environmentally sensitive lands for future generations to enjoy. I have also played an integral role in writing the final chapter of Piney Point. The closure of phase 1 at the Piney Point site is now complete,” he said.
