Fredd Atkins to run for County Commission

Former Sarasota City Commissioner Fredd Atkins has filed to run for the Sarasota County Commission in the 2016 election.

Atkins becomes the first Democrat to challenge Republicans for the District 1 seat since 2008, when sitting Commissioner Carolyn Mason defeated challenger Jono Miller. Mason will step down next year due to term limits.

"I think Carolyn Mason has represented District 1 admirably," Atkins said. "The timing is perfect — there’s an open seat, and I’m the most qualified person to take that seat."

Atkins, a civic leader whose name adorns a park in Newtown, was first elected to the City Commission in 1985. He is currently a Realtor with Longboat Key-based Waterfront 7 Realty and a substitute teacher with the Sarasota County School District.

Republican challenger Mike Moran, who has served on the Planning Commission and currently represents Sarasota on the Southwest Florida Water Management District Board, has a head start in campaign contributions, as he has already raised more than $46,000. Most of those donations have come from business interests.

“There’s no question Mike Moran will get the overwhelming support from the business community based on his record,” said Sarasota GOP Chairman Joe Gruters in a previous interview with the Sarasota Observer. “He’s a uniter, he’s a team builder and he’s exactly what you’re looking for when you go out and find someone to run for office.”

Atkins raised $19,750 when he ran for City Commission in 2007.

“I think that what counts is not the amount of dollars, but the amount of votes,” Atkins said.

Atkins anticipates the relationship between city and county commissioners to thaw before the election, but said his experience working with the county to reolve issues with the downtown CRA and the county's headquarters downtown make him an attractive candidate.

"I had a pleasant and positive experience with the city of Sarasota and I think I can help with the county,” Atkins said.