CORTEZ – Karen Bell hosted five candidates running in local political races at a meet and greet event at the Star Fish Co. dock on Sunday evening.
Invited candidates were Scott Farrington (R) for Manatee County Supervisor of Elections; Charlie Hackney (R) for Manatee County Property Appraiser; George Kruse (R) for Manatee County Commission District 7 at large; Tal Siddique (R) for Manatee County Commission District 3; and Carol Whitmore (R) for Holmes Beach City Commission.
“I decided to do this because I am concerned about the current state of our local government and thought it would be good for people to have an opportunity to meet these candidates who I know personally and respect,” Bell said.
Farrington, who has more than 20 years of experience in the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office as chief of staff, spoke first.
“This election is important to make sure there are accurate and secure elections,” Farrington said. “I believe that experience matters, doubly so, when it comes to elections. I have 20-plus years in elections, in Sarasota County for 10 and in Manatee County. That experience gives me the ability to run the elections office and in a way you expect the elections office to work.”
Farrington, a Republican, reminded those assembled to vote in the Aug. 20 primary.
“In order to vote in the primary, you must be a registered Republican,” he said. “I understand some of you may not be Republican, but understand in the primary a 30% turnout is considered really good, so that means the winner is going to be selected by less than 30% of the Republican party. It’s your choice, but if you want to have a say, vote in the primary. I’m not asking you to switch parties.”
Charlie Hackney, Manatee County’s property appraiser for 32 years, is running for another four-year term.
“If I get elected, we can keep doing what we’ve been doing for the past 30 years, what I’m proud of,” Hackney said.
George Kruse spoke next.
“I’m at large so everybody in Manatee County will have me on their ballot Aug. 20,” Kruse said. “This is having a voice in your government and you’ve lost a voice in your government. Every year it’s getting chipped away more and more and more.”
Without mentioning names, Kruse spoke about the Manatee County Board of Commissioners.
“Those people don’t actually care about you, they don’t answer your calls, they don’t answer your emails,” Kruse said. “You need to fix that. This year is incredibly important. In the supervisor of elections race you have somebody in there now that has no business being there.”
“We’re not hoarding money from developers and LLCs who tell us to do what we’re told,” Kruse said. “We’re not sitting on our couch with mailers full of lies going out. We’re here speaking to you and hearing your concerns so we can govern for the next four years.”
Tal Siddique spoke next.
“I’m running to be your next grassroots commissioner,” he said. “If you’re a registered Republican and you live in the district, you can vote for me in the primary. I want to see a new generation of leadership.”
Siddique referenced a benefit for boat captain Marty Lee in Cortez on Saturday night.
“In no other town in this country have I seen that,” he said. “This is old Florida. When we see a problem, we fix it. That’s what I want to see happen on this board.”
“We need good people on this board,” Siddique added.
Carol Whitmore spoke next.
“I’ve been there done that, I was mayor of Holmes Beach, city commissioner and county commissioner. I came back to the Island after I lost my election to Bearden and I worked for a year and a half raising money for a non-profit. I cannot live in Holmes Beach and not try to repair the relationships with what’s going on. They’re trying to consolidate the Island because of one person,” Whitmore said, adding, “I promise you this is my last time in public service.”
Jonathan Lynch (NPA), candidate for the Manatee County School Board, was invited but unable to attend.
