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Elections

Ed Ference is running for the District 6 at-large Manatee County commission seat.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 24, 2026
Lifelong East County resident enters Manatee County Commission race

Ed Ference grew up along the Upper Manatee River Road and spent 30 years working for Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Savanna at Lakewood Ranch's John Calovich is running for the District 6 at-large seat on the Manatee County Commission.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 18, 2026
Lakewood Ranch resident enters competitive District 6 election

John Calovich will have to win the primary first because there are four other Republicans in the race.

  • East County
  • News
John Harshman has announced his candidacy for Sarasota City Commission.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 20, 2026
Longtime businessman files for Sarasota City Commission

Commercial real estate broker John Harshman has joined the race for the two Sarasota City Commission at-large seats.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Retired Sarasota Police Sergeant Jim DeNiro is challenging incumbent Joe Neunder for the Sarasota County Commission District 4 seat.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 16, 2026
Incumbent faces early challenge for County Commission District 4

Joe Neunder will face retired Sarasota Police Department Sgt. Jim DeNiro in the Aug. 18 preliminary election.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Neighborhood advocate enters race for Sarasota City Commission
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2026
Neighborhood advocate enters race for Sarasota City Commission

Arlington Park Neighborhood Association President Flo Entler joins the field of candidates for two Sarasota City Commission at-large seats.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Republican Party of Sarasota County Chairman Jack Brill introduced four Republican Hospital Board winners. From left to right: Sharon Wetzler DePeters, Pam Beitlich, Sarah Lodge and Kevin Cooper.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 6, 2024
GOP dominates Election Day in Sarasota

A near-record 84% of registered voters in Sarasota County cast ballots Tuesday, preliminary data shows.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota, Manatee county 2024 general election results
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 5, 2024
Sarasota, Manatee county 2024 general election results

The 2024 general election was held Nov. 5. The voter turnout was high in both Sarasota and Manatee counties.

  • Elections
2024 Election Candidates
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 22, 2024
2024 Election Candidates

Meet the candidates for Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

  • Elections
Sequoia Felton
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 23, 2024
Sarasota City Commission District 1: Sequoia Felton

Meet the candidate.

  • Elections
Kyle Battie.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 23, 2024
Sarasota City Commission District 1: Kyle Battie

Meet the candidate.

  • Elections
Ron Kashden
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 14, 2024
Sarasota City Commission District 2: Ron Kashden

Meet the candidate.

  • Elections
Liz Alpert
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 14, 2024
Sarasota City Commission District 2: Liz Alpert

Meet the candidate.

  • Elections
At-large District 7 candidate Sari Lindroos-Valimaki lives in Palmetto with her husband, Jarmo Valimaki, and their four rescue dogs.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 14, 2024
Palmetto resident is one of the few Democrats on November's ballot

Sari Lindroos-Valimaki wants to give citizens a Democratic option in the race for District 7.

  • East County
  • News
Erik Arroyo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 6, 2024
Sarasota City Commission District 3: Erik Arroyo

Meet the candidate

  • Elections
Kathy Kelley Ohlrich
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 6, 2024
Sarasota City Commission District 3: Kathy Kelley Ohlrich

Meet the candidate.

  • Elections
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