MANATEE COUNTY – Scott Farrington has been sworn in as Manatee County’s new supervisor of elections.
On Jan. 7, Clerk of the Court Angelina Colonneso swore Farrington in with his wife, Amy, and his son, Jacob, standing by his side. The ceremony took place at the supervisor of elections office in Bradenton in a room filled with county residents and elections office staff members.
In January 2024, Supervisor of Elections Mike Bennett announced his retirement effective March 1. In April, Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Manatee County Commissioner James Satcher to serve the remaining months of Bennett’s four-year term, despite Satcher having no prior experience conducting an election or running an elections office.
In response to DeSantis’ decision, Farrington resigned as the elections office chief of staff. He then sought election to serve as Manatee County’s next duly-elected supervisor of elections. In August, Farrington defeated Satcher in the August primary election and he ran unopposed in the general election in November.
The swearing-in ceremony began with Bennett addressing the large crowd and saying, “This goes to show what happens when the right people win.”
After the Pledge of Allegiance, Colonneso conducted the brief ceremony that ended with a warm round of applause.
Farrington then thanked Bennett, for whom he served as chief of staff for 11 years. He also shared some thoughts about being a first-time candidate and having to gather petition signatures, design campaign signs, attend campaign fundraisers and participate in other campaign-related activities.
In reference to the non-partisan nature of the elections office and attending a campaign fundraiser organized by Bennett, Farrington said, “I’ve done my best to stay out of politics. That was the first fundraiser I’ve ever been to and I hope it’s the last.”
Getting more emotional, Farrington thanked his wife and son. “My family: I wouldn’t be here without their support. Amy knew when to push, when to support and when to kick me in the ass – and she enjoyed the last part a little too much.”
Farrington praised the elections office staff for successfully conducting the primary and general elections – a feat accomplished with an inexperienced, first-time supervisor. He asked them to stand and be recognized with a round of applause.
“Without them, you would not have had an election. I know I can count on you,” he told them.
To the county residents in attendance, he said, “I believe the reason you decided to elect me is because you trusted the elections we’ve had under Mike Bennett and you want to still trust them. I believe the reason you have put me here is you want to hold safe, secure, accurate and transparent elections and that is what we are going to do. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I am so proud to be your supervisor.”
