Twelve former Sarasota mayors endorse Susan Chapman

At a press conference scheduled for 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, at the Federal Building, Susan Chapman will announce that 12 former city of Sarasota mayors have endorsed her candidacy for an At-Large seat on the Sarasota City Commission.

According to a press release from Chapman’s campaign, these past mayors include: Fredd Atkins, Elmer Berkel, Mollie Cardamone, Dick Clapp, Rev. Jerome Dupree, Jack Gurney, Kelly Kirschner, Bill Kline, Richard Martin, David Merrill, Lou Ann Palmer and Nora Patterson.

Former Mayor Cardamone noted that the mayors’ combined experience represents four decades of city history, from Elmer Berkel's first term as mayor in 1975 to Kelly Kirschner's mayoral term, which ended in 2011.

“I am honored and humbled by this overwhelming show of support for my candidacy by such esteemed community leaders,” said Chapman, one of three candidates vying in the May 14 City Commission runoff election.