Baugh announces commission candidacy

LAKEWOOD RANCH — It’s official: Lakewood Ranch businesswomen Vanessa Baugh will challenge incumbent Donna Hayes for the District 5 Manatee County Board of County Commissioners seat.

Baugh, who owns Vanessa Fine Jewelry with her husband, Don, announced her run for office on April 28 from her Main Street shop just hours after making her candidacy official with the Supervisor of Elections office.

“We are so excited about this race and what we think we can do to help Manatee County,” Baugh said. “I’m really excited now to officially be a candidate. I feel so strongly about it.”

Baugh, named as one of the East County Observer’s people to watch in 2011, said local government needs to curb spending while cutting the budget and focus on saving and creating jobs in Manatee County.

She also said the community needs a closer connection between residents and the sitting commissioner, which is one of the main reasons she has chosen to run for office.

“As a commissioner, we’re here to represent the residents,” Baugh said. “So many (people) feel they’re not being heard.

“The goal is to build our opportunities, help businesses succeed and help residents get back to work and start thriving,” she said. “My campaign is grassroots, and I pay respect to all segments of our district and county.”

Baugh also said she plans to launch a “listening tour,” meeting with residents in homeowners associations, civic groups and others organizations to hear from constituents their concerns and desires.

Baugh currently serves on the board of advisers for the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund, which distributes donor-allocated funds to local nonprofits, and the on the board of directors for both the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and Meals on Wheels Plus. She also is an active member of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance and of Kiwanis and serves as secretary for the East Manatee Republican Club.

For more information about Baugh’s campaign, visit her website, www.vanessabaugh.com.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].