Mike Moran wins Sarasota County Commission primary

In a Republican primary race that positioned a self-proclaimed outsider against a well-know GOP candidate, Sarasota County voters decided on the latter for the District 1 seat on the County Commission.

Mike Moran, former planning commissioner and commercial insurance agent, beat Frank DiCicco with 61% of the ballots cast.

“It’s bittersweet,” said Moran. “Obviously I’m thrilled that I won, but I feel for Teresa (Mast).” Mast was defeated by incumbent Sarasota County School Board member Caroline Zucker by four percentage points.

Moran raised nearly $75,000 since declaring his candidacy early last year. DiCicco, who announced he would run this summer, raised more than $12,000.

“I think it was more people got behind my plan of economic diversity and career creation here,” Moran said.

DiCicco, a sales professional, drew support from neighborhood activists, including Cathy Antunes and land use attorney Dan Lobeck.

“I should have gotten started earlier. I didn’t think about it until that time, but if I had started earlier I think I would have had a better opportunity,” DiCicco said.

Moran will now face Democrat and former Sarasota Mayor Fredd Atkins in the General Election.