- June 9, 2026
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Out of 24 candidates across three open Manatee County commission seats, 18 are Republican candidates.
“In areas that are very Republican or very Democratic, the decision is frequently made in the primaries,” said Alice Newlon, government co-chair for the League of Women Voters’ of Manatee County. “If you don’t vote in the primary, you just lost your voice.”
Newlon said that’s especially true when voting for school board candidates because those selections are made during the primaries unless there’s a runoff election.
School board seats are nonpartisan, so if a candidate garners more than 50% of the primary votes, the race is won without having to go onto the general election.
Despite their importance, primaries have a lower turnout than general elections. In 2024, Manatee County’s voter turnout for the primary election was 24.79%. The voter turnout for the general election was 82.61%.
Newlon offered an upside to such bleak primary turnouts: Your vote counts more.
If planning to vote Aug. 18 in the primary election, LWVMC and a few other local clubs have set up in-person and online candidate forums and debates to give voters a chance to learn more about the candidates and where they stand on key issues.
Only forums that are open to the public are included in the list.
District 2 and District 4 Republican forum. June 17 at 11:30 a.m. Hosted by the Lakewood Ranch Republican Club at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club. Candidates attending are Edward Bailey and Amanda Ballard for District 2, and Glen Gibellina for District 4. Visit LWRRC.com/luncheon-registration. Check back with the website; a forum for District 1 candidates is scheduled for July 21, but registration is not yet open.
District 6 Republican forum. June 23 at 5 p.m. Hosted by LWVMC via Zoom. Candidates attending are Tony Barrett, Edward Ference and Tara Poulton. Visit LWVmanatee.org/events.
District 1 and District 2 forum. June 25 at 11:30 a.m. Hosted by the Manatee Tiger Bay Club at Manatee Performing Arts Center. Candidates to be announced. Visit ManateeTigerBay.org . Check back with the website; a forum for District 4 and District 6 candidates is scheduled for July 23, but registration is not yet open.
District 2 Republican forum. July 1 at 6 p.m. Hosted by League of Women Voters Manatee County via Zoom. Candidates attending are Edward Bailey and Amanda Ballard for District 2. Visit LWVmanatee.org/events.
District 1 Republican forum. July 8 at 4 p.m. Hosted by LWVMC via Zoom. Candidates attending are Elizabeth Arnold, John Dunn, Michael Harrison, Adam Johnson, Mark Stanoch and Leland Taylor. Visit LWVmanatee.org/events.
District 2 forum. June 24 at noon. Hosted by LWVMC via Zoom. Candidates attending are James Golden, Sharon Jefferson, Margi Nanney, Cindy Spray and JT White. Visit LWVmanatee.org/events.
District 5 forum. June 30 at 6 p.m. Hosted by LWVMC via Zoom. Candidates attending are Camden Bedinghaus, Jonathan Mullis and Chantal Wilford. Visit LWVmanatee.org/events.
District 16 candidate debate. June 17 at 5:30 p.m. Hosted by the Manatee Tiger Bay Club at Manatee Performing Arts Center. Candidates attending are Jonathan Harris, Kelly Kirschner, Tamika Lyles, Glenn Pearson, Ed Pope, Jan Schneider and Eddie Speir. Visit ManateeTigerBay.org.
District 16 Democratic forum. June 18 at 5 p.m. Hosted by LWVMC via Zoom. Candidates attending are Jonathan Harris, Kelly Kirschner, Tamika Lyles, Glenn Pearson and Jan Schneider. Visit LWVmanatee.org/events.
District 16 Republican forum. July 9 at 4 p.m. Hosted by LWVMC via Zoom. Candidates attending are Edward Pope and Eddie Speir. Visit LWVmanatee.org/events.
Ice cream with the candidates. June 25 at 5:30 p.m. Hosted by Patricia Grady at Greenbrook Adventure Park. Not every candidate has responded yet, but at least 15 candidates will be in attendance. Free ice cream will be served while supplies last.
