Advocacy group endorses candidates

The Manatee Coalition for Responsible Government recently announced its endorsement of two candidates in the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners race.

After interviewing seven candidates running for office in the primary and general elections, the group is throwing its support behind Democrat Michael Gallen for District 2 and Republican Norm Luppino for District 4.

The group will decide which candidate it supports for the District 6 at-large seat closer to the November election.

"The Manatee Coalition for Responsible Government set out earlier this year to identify those candidates for the office of county commissioner who see the need to change from a developer-influenced board to one that will uphold the Comprehensive Plan, Land Development Code, support bringing permanent,  non-polluting jobs to Manatee County and listen to resident concerns," a group release states.

The group's mission is to educate, advocate and lobby for responsible county government actions that affect quality of life, safety and environmental issues and to help make sure political leaders who embrace the needs of the community are elected into office.

For information about the coalition, visit http://manateecoalitionforresponsiblegov.net.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].