BRADENTON — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis bowed to special interest pressure and appointed James Satcher as Manatee County Supervisor of Elections despite Satcher's complete lack of relevant experience.
Satcher currently represents Manatee County as its District 1 commissioner. He was elected in 2020 and had filed to seek a second term. However, when Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Mike Bennett announced that he would be retiring effective March 1, Satcher applied to be appointed to fulfill the remainder of the term.
In his resignation letter, Bennet recommended his longtime chief of staff, Scott Farrington, for the post. Farrington also applied for the appointment and has filed to run for the seat in November's election. Farrington has served 11 years as Bennett's number two and previously served as a top official in Sarasota County's SOE office. He is the only certified elections administrator in Manatee County and also holds the title of Florida Master Certified Election Professional.
Bennett, Satcher, and Farrington are all Republicans. However, sources within the Manatee County Republican Party allege that developer and major Republican donor Carlos Beruff had another candidate in mind to replace Satcher on the BOCC and was pushing DeSantis' office to have him installed as Bennett's replacement in order to clear the seat.
Manatee County has been without a Supervisor of Elections since Bennett retired with Farrington effectively running the office. Unlike most other such announcements, the press release issued by the governor's office on Friday was exceedingly brief and included no quotes from DeSantis.
Critics of Satcher have pointed to his history of political grandstanding on culture war issues that have nothing to do with the work of the county commission, expressing concerns that someone who has demonstrated himself to be so fiercely partisan could manage to maintain the non-partisan requirements inherent to the office.
Satcher will have mere months to acclimate to the new post, with early voting for the August primary right around the corner.
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OPINION
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jimandlope
The good news is we get rid of one idiot but if Beruff has another in mind Theres no win here . Probably going to have to be a veteran, be able to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and Lords Prayer in order to vote. More lack of experience feel sorry for the staff as they do a good job and are objective.
Friday, April 12 Report this
Debann
DESATON SUCKS...SATCHER DOESN'T KNOW HIS ASS FROM A HOLE IN THE GROUND...VOTE FARRINGTON IN NOVEMBER...
Friday, April 12 Report this
lib224
So sad and angering! Republican corruption from the top to bottom in Florida governing. Elect Farrington!
Friday, April 12 Report this
rayfusco68
I think the actual saying is "You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear". As Oliver Hardy would say to Stan Laurel "Well this is another fine mess you've gotten us into". I hope that Mr. Farrington stays on through the next election to keep things running if that is possible being a candidate opposing his know nothing boss. The governor obviously thinks the Republicans in Manatee County are just a bunch of buffoons that will accept whatever shameless thing he does.
Friday, April 12 Report this
N_Alice_Newlon
If you want a challenger in November, Scott Farrington has filed to run for Supervisor of Elections and he is who Mike Bennett recommended to DeSantis. Sign his candiate petition and get others to as well. https://votescottfarrington.com/
Friday, April 12 Report this
Cat L
Well that is extremely discouraging.
Saturday, April 13 Report this
Charles
Make sure Farrington is on the ballot and elected in November. Identify, support, and elect a replacement for the Beruff pupet(s) — quickly identify an honest candidate for any election — early — and concentrate on electing that one in the race.
The community must work together to beat the corruption and re-establish representative government.
Saturday, April 13 Report this
sandy
Vote Farrington in August. Make Satcher a lame duck. Definitely will not miss him on the BOCC. Wonder what the developers have on DeSantis for him to make such an assinine appointment, no experience over someone with tremendous experience. Also nervous about who will be appointed to replace Satcher on the board.
Saturday, April 13 Report this
Rlasunto
Was Satcher an election denier in the 2020 presidential race?
Saturday, April 13 Report this
andreart
Scott packed up his office Friday and left. He is still going to run.
Sunday, April 14 Report this