Evaluating Candidates, Finishing the Job

It was said, “Hopefully, as we go to the polling places, we can weigh the candidates’ overall worth and not cross off anyone because they have accepted a campaign contribution from the building community.” Yes, don’t just look at their builder contributions. Take a look at incumbent voting records (and not only the wetlands), their affiliations with establishment organizations, their reckless spending, their priorities which are inconsistent with the public, their behavior and interactions with the public, their protection of and defaulting to the staff, and, most importantly, their shifting positions and flip-flopping during an election year!

The Wetlands, “The polarizing moment came on Oct. 5, 2023, when commissioners voted 5-1 in favor of reducing wetland protections. Kevin Van Ostenbridge, Jason Bearden, Mike Rahn, Amanda Ballard, and James Satcher voted in favor.”

One method of identifying their respective alliances is through contributions. As to contributions, I recommend that voters look at the dirty (dark) money, the out-of-town money, the hidden money in LLCs, etc. Examine the financial reports after determining the location of the bank accounts and the identity of the campaign consultant or treasurer. Look at the incumbent’s voting records, are they for the people, or is there a token change as this election approaches? Were the crucial district issues overlooked until recently, when the election draws near, there was a sense of urgency to address them immediately?

The builder and establishment candidates are easily identifiable. The incumbents against the people are easily identifiable based on the totality of their voting records. It’s the other candidates with hidden agendas that are hard to recognize. Don’t choose these candidates based on their eloquent speech and ability to answer your questions cleverly just to get them elected. Previous experience shows that we had two commissioners elected in 2024 as alternatives, and both were eloquent speakers. Look at their heart, look at their intention to return the government to the people. That’s why I chose to personally endorse 4 candidates early on in this election cycle. They are truly for the people. I urge you to examine these candidates carefully.

In 2024, two Commissioners ran campaigns saying they were anti-builder and would vote for the people. Then they got elected. Mike Rahn nominated George Kruse for Chairman. Kruse nominated Rahn for Port Authority Chairman, then he, Rahn, and Ballard tried to give away the Port to the state at the same time a Cruise (Kruse) line was proposed in Terra Ceia?

As Chairman, Commissioner Kruse scheduled a meeting on the wetlands, saying we “were going to give the finger to DeSantis," and then he canceled. Isn’t Kruse the same Commissioner who constantly belittled Commissioner Felts and stated at a public meeting that he was personally going to go to Tallahassee and have her removed from the Commission? Saddique then became Chairman, and the people’s right to express themselves suffered.

Priorities shifted under the present Commission; the CIP was rerouted; the budget rewarded some of the 4's pet projects, builders and their lawyers, and the staff; and the overbuilding sprawl in Districts 1 and 5 continued. Let’s see how this budget process goes…The Commission has a consistent voting block of 4 (Kruse, Rahn, Siddique, and Ballard) and a total disregard for the people of Manatee County. Do we really want that to continue?

In 2026, we have the ability to give back the government to the people and conduct their business. Let’s finish the job!

Dr. Bob McCann
(as an individual, for himself)

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