Longboat Key Town Commission race certified

Former Longboat Key Town Commission candidate Larry Grossman just got in under the wire to run again for the District 4 seat in the 2017 election cycle.

A little more than a week before the deadline, Grossman, 68, officially filed to take on incumbent District 4 Commissioner Jack Daly, 80, who will run for a second term.

There was some question Grossman’s candidacy would be certified by the noon Monday deadline, but Jo Ann Mixon, deputy town clerk, confirmed the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections office had made it official.

It will be their second head-to-head race after Grossman lost a 2015 election to Daly by 1,295 to 505 votes. He also ran in 2013, when he unsuccessfully challenged Mayor Jim Brown, losing 1,395 to 1,094.

The Longboat Key Town Commission consists of seven members elected for 2-year terms. Town commissioner terms expire in March for Mayor Jack Duncan, Daly and Phill Younger.  

Former Commissioner Gene Jaleski, 75, who last served on the commission in 2010, will oppose former Mayor Jim Brown, 70, in the race to succeed term-limited Younger. Brown announced his campaign in September.

Former Mayor George Spoll, 82, is unopposed and will fill the District 2 seat now held by term-limited Duncan.