Tal Siddique selected as chair of Manatee County Commission

Representing the northern half of Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island, Cortez and downtown Bradenton, Tal Siddique has represented District 3 on the Manatee County Commission since he was elected in 2024.

Soon, he will also serve as chairman of the commission.

At the Dec. 2 commission meeting, Siddique was nominated and picked to serve as chair of the seven-member board during the 2026 calendar year. He will replace George Kruse, who represents the county at-large. Kruse advocated for Siddique ahead of the vote, saying he has put in the effort to represent the county not just at commission meetings, but at events throughout the community.

“Everybody up here on this board has had 12 months to prove that they’re willing to put in the time and the effort to do this job on days where you’re not seen on YouTube. Where you’re doing the job because it’s your job, not because you want people on Facebook to see you sitting there,” Kruse said. “And so I watched everybody to see who is willing to put in this time, because I don’t want to walk off of this seat and have the county not have proper representation all those other days of the month. Commissioner Siddique has shown up, he’s done the work and that’s why I support him for the chair.”

Bob McCann was nominated by Carol Ann Felts and Siddique was nominated by Jason Bearden.

Kruse, McCann, Amanda Ballard and Felts were also nominated as chair, but Kruse, Ballard and Felts declined their nominations. Siddique was picked over McCann in a 4-3 vote that was preceded by some back and forth, with Felts and Bearden making the case for McCann over Siddique, even though Bearden nominated Siddique.

“Right now we need a chairman that shows that we are listening to our taxpayers and our constituents,” said Felts. “I know it’s up to our vote, but I’m pretty sure if we asked the people out there, I think they would be more prone to wanting this board to make a decision to give Dr. McCann the chairmanship.”

McCann, Felts and Bearden voted for McCann. Siddique, Kruse, Ballard and Mike Rahn voted for Siddique.

Siddique will serve as chairman, running the meetings and helping set the agenda collaboratively with the county administrator and staff.

“The job of the chair, to me, is about running an efficient meeting and representing the will of the board where we possibly can. In D.C., Tallahassee, various conferences and throughout our own community,” Siddique said. “It’s a tough job, but I’m up for the task.”