Qualified candidates set for 2026 ballots

The qualifying period for the 2026 Election cycle closed June 12 at noon, finalizing the list of candidates who will appear on Manatee County voters’ ballots in the upcoming primary and general elections.

Qualifying is the official process by which candidates submit required paperwork, pay applicable fees or submit petitions, and meet legal requirements established under Florida election law in order to appear on the ballot. Candidates may qualify through the major political parties, as nonpartisan candidates, or as write-in candidates, depending on the office.

The following candidates have qualified for races affecting Manatee County voters in the August primary and November general election:

Manatee County Commission

District 1
Republicans: Elizabeth Arnold, John Dunn, Michael Harrison, Adam Johnson, Mark Stanoch, Leland Taylor
Democrat: Sari Lindroos-Valimaki
Write-in: Jack May

District 2
Republicans: Edward Bailey, Amanda Ballard (incumbent)
Democrat: Charles B. Smith Sr.

District 4
Republicans: Glen Gibellina, Mike Rahn (incumbent)
Write-in: Allison Sneed

District 6 (countywide)
Republicans: Tony Barrett, John Calovich, Edward Ference, Tara Poulton

U.S. House of Representatives – District 16

Mark Davis (NPA), Sydney Gruters (REP), Jon Harris (DEM), Kelly Kirschner (DEM), Tamika Lyles (DEM), Glenn Pearson (DEM), Ed Pope (REP), Jan Schneider (DEM), Eddie Speir (REP)

Florida House of Representatives

District 70
Michael Owen (REP, incumbent), Luther Keith Wilkins (DEM)

District 71
Ocean Fitts (DEM), Joseph Hoolihan (NPA), Melton Little (REP), Dylan Paul Modarelli (REP), Jordan Varnadore (REP)

District 72
William “Bill” Conerly (REP, incumbent), John “Captain” Phillips (REP), Harvey Shifrin (DEM)

Municipal Races (Nonpartisan)

City of Bradenton

Ward 2: Marianne Barnebey (incumbent)

Ward 3: Kemp Schuessler (incumbent), Thomas Schwarz

Ward 4: Keith Green, Lisa Gonzalez Moore (incumbent)

City of Palmetto

Ward 1: Harold Smith (incumbent)

Ward 2: Sunshine Joiner (incumbent), Sheldon Jones

Ward 3: Rachel Kendzior

For information on additional local races, including candidates in the City of Anna Maria, the City of Bradenton Beach, and the City of Holmes Beach, visit the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections website. Information on federal and state races is available through the Florida Department of State Division of Elections.

Editor's Note: This article has been updated to include the qualified candidates for the Manatee County School Board races, which were unintentionally omitted from the original publication due to an editing oversight. We thank the reader who brought the omission to our attention and remain committed to providing complete and accurate election coverage.