Candidate Profile: City of Bradenton Mayor: Wayne H. Poston

Candidate: Wayne H. Poston (Incumbent)

Age: 68

Hometown: Athens, Ohio

Residence: Bradenton

Occupation: Mayor and Police Commissioner of Bradenton

Education: Athens High School (1962); B.S. in Journalism, Ohio University (1967); and Masters Program, University of South Carolina

Though he faces two challengers, Mayor Wayne Poston is hoping to become reelected as Bradenton’s mayor, having held the position since 2000, when he narrowly defeated 20-year incumbent Bill Evers.

Poston began serving in the U.S. Air Force in 1967 and received an honorable discharge as Staff Sergeant after his fourth year. With his degrees in journalism, Poston went on to become Managing Editor for the Bradenton Herald until 1972, when he began working with Virginia’s Roanoke Times as Assistant Managing Editor, reporting and editing newspapers in Ohio, Indiana and Alabama.

1974 brought Poston back to the Bradenton Herald and his previous job position, later becoming Executive Editor and Vice President of the publication. Poston’s leadership and passion for journalism led him to participate alongside organizations like the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors, American Society of Newspaper Editors and Associated Press Managing Editors.

Additionally, he was the former president of W. Harrison Group Inc., a marketing and communications firm, and founded the Ohio University Alumni Chapter, along with the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Association and Florida League of Mayors.

Poston is a Martin Luther King Jr. Outstanding Citizenship Award in Government recipient and achieved the NAACP Diversity Award in August 2007. He is currently involved in the community as a member of the Kiwanis Club of Bradenton, Hernando De Soto Historical Society, Manatee County Republican Party Executive Committee, Florida Fire Chiefs Association and Manatee County Tourist Development Council. In 1991, Poston married wife Patricia, and they raised their son and daughter here in Manatee County.

The Mayor's time at the helm has been marked by close relationships with businesses and considerable support from the city's police and fire employees. Poston has strong financial support from the business and land development community and will be a formidable incumbent in November. He heads into the election with several big-ticket gambles in the works including the $6.5 million RiverWalk project, the upcoming Bradenton Blues Festival and the redevelopment of the historic hotel, often referred to as the Pink Palace.

Poston says that during this period, Bradenton needs experienced and proven leadership more than ever before and that's why he's seeking another term as the city's mayor.