• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Elections

Mark Stanoch is running for District 1. If elected, modeling and forecasting will help inform his decisions from the dais.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 10, 2026
Manatee County District 1 candidate focuses on solutions over complaints

Mark Stanoch is a former economic forecaster who uses past data to build future plans.

  • East County
  • News
James Satcher, a former Manatee County commissioner and supervisor of elections, is now running for Congress.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 9, 2026
Former Manatee County commissioner, supervisor of elections runs for Congress

James Satcher is a last-minute addition to the lineup of candidates seeking the Republican nomination to represent District 16.

  • East County
  • News
From left, City Commission at-large candidates Jen Ahearn-Koch, Flo Entler, John Harshman, Jaime Loomis and Rob Rominiecki at the CCNA candidate forum.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 9, 2026
Neighborhood association forum highlights City Commission candidates

The five at-large candidates for the Sarasota City Commission agreed on most policy issues as they made their case at the Coalition of City Neighborhoods Association forum.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bridgewater's Jonathan Mullis, a local dad and business owner, wants to bring his experience and connections to benefit the School District of Manatee County school board.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 9, 2026
Bridgewater dad says his connections make him a valuable candidate

Bridgewater's Jonathan Mullis wants to strengthen the relationship between the Manatee school district, the county and nonprofits if he is elected for the District 5 school board seat.

  • East County
  • Schools
Panther Ridge's Chantal Wilford wants to provide further support to families in Manatee County through becoming the District 5 school board member.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 3, 2026
Panther Ridge mom hopes to make connections in District 5 school board seat

Chantal Wilford is attempting for the second time to be a member of School Board of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Schools
John Dunn is a former U.S. Air Force medic. He's also a graduate of Lakewood Ranch High School.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 5, 2026
'Dunn' with special interests, Duette resident enters District 1 race

John Dunn wants the people to run Manatee County, not special interests or even commissioners.

  • East County
  • News
Kelly Kirschner is the son of the late Kerry Kirschner, who led the Argus Foundation and also was mayor of Sarasota.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 3, 2026
Former Sarasota mayor joins race to fill Buchanan's Congressional seat

Kelly Kirschner, 51, was elected to the City Commission in 2007.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioner Mike Rahn is running for reelection in Manatee County's District 4.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 27, 2026
Manatee County commissioner says he has more work to do in District 4

Mike Rahn says he will be knocking on as many doors as possible to find out residents' concerns.

  • East County
  • News
Glen Gibellina stands at the entrance of a tiny house he built using a shipping container.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 20, 2026
Affordable housing advocate builds campaign for Manatee commission

Glen Gibellina is challenging incumbent Mike Rahn for the District 4 seat.

  • East County
  • News
Tara Poulton and Ed Ference are two of the four candidates vying for the Republican nomination in District 6.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 19, 2026
Manatee commission candidates face off in Lakewood Ranch

District 6 candidates spoke their minds about roundabouts, campaign contributions and more.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County's District 1 commission seat was left vacant after Carol Felts died suddenly Feb. 24.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 8, 2026
Manatee County District 1 commission seat open for applications

Gov. Ron DeSantis has the option to appoint someone to fill the remaining seven months left before the general election.

  • East County
  • News
Greenbrook's Tara Poulton is running for Manatee County's District 6 commission seat.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 7, 2026
Lakewood Ranch resident brings government experience to District 6 race

Tara Poulton's resume includes working for DeSoto County, the Southwest Florida Water Management District and Congressman Vern Buchanan.

  • East County
  • News
Tony Barrett is running for the at-large District 6 commission seat in Manatee County.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 1, 2026
East Manatee fire commissioner enters at-large County Commission race

Tony Barrett hopes to earn a seat as his term as fire commissioner comes to an end.

  • East County
  • News
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
1 2 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest News

1
Sarasota Crew's Gabrielle DeLeo heads to the finish of the Women's Youth 1x Thursday at the USRowing Youth National Championships at Nathan Benderson Park. She qualified for Friday's semifinal by placing eighth in 7:54.36.
  • June 11, 2026
USRowing National Championships opens in Sarasota
2
Though homesteaded residents would gain property tax savings if Florida's overhaul proposal gains 60% of support in the November elections, even non-homesteaded property owners would see new protections from sharply rising property assessments.
  • June 11, 2026
Property tax overhaul: What you should know
3
Olivia Mulliner sits in the first seat of the Youth Women's Eight for Sarasota Crew — a change in position made after the boat's fourth-place finish at the USRowing Southeast Youth Championships.
  • June 11, 2026
Sister-turned-competitor purses a junior rowing national title
4
Karie Friling discusses her first week on the job as Sarasota City Manager, and how the state property tax reform referendum has shifted her initial priorities.
  • June 11, 2026
City eyes cuts ahead of potential voter approval of property tax change
5
The home at 1915 Tulip Drive was built in 2025 and has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 2,918 square feet of living area.
  • June 11, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for May 25-29 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free