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Elections

Edward Bailey, Jr., a 22-year-old former District 5 commissioner's aide, is now vying for a seat on the dais.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 15, 2026
Young candidates vie for Manatee County Commission, school board

Commissioners, voters and a former Miss America contestant weigh in on the issue of age in politics.

  • East County
  • News
Bradenton's Margi Nanney is running for the District 2 school board seat for the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 14, 2026
'Champion for academic excellence' decides to run for Manatee school board

Margi Nanney says she can provide a seasoned perspective of the school system as a mother, a volunteer, a teacher. and an administrator.

  • East County
  • Schools
2026 Election Candidates
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 10, 2026
2026 Election Candidates

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

  • Elections
Sarasota City Commission candidate John Harshman
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 13, 2026
City Commission: John Harshman

The candidate answers questions from Observer Media Group ahead of the 2026 election.

  • Elections
Sarasota City Commission candidate Flo Entler
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 13, 2026
City Commission: Florence Entler

The candidate answers questions from Observer Media Group ahead of the 2026 election.

  • Elections
Charter Review Board District 1: Nicholas Altier
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 8, 2026
Charter Review Board District 1: Nicholas Altier

The candidate answers questions from Observer Media Group ahead of the 2026 election.

  • Elections
Sarasota County Charter Review Board candidate Alexandra Coe
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 7, 2026
Charter Review Board District 1: Alexandra Coe

The candidate answers questions from Observer Media Group ahead of the 2026 election.

  • Elections
Sarasota County School Board candidate Heidi Brandt
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 7, 2026
Sarasota County School Board District 1: Heidi Brandt

The candidate answers questions from Observer Media Group ahead of the 2026 election.

  • Elections
Sarasota County Charter Review Commission candidate Bill Van Allen
  • By Observer Staff
  • July 7, 2026
Charter Review Board District 1: Bill Van Allen

The candidate answers questions from Observer Media Group ahead of the 2026 election.

  • Elections
The primary election in Florida will be held Tuesday, Aug. 18.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 7, 2026
Registration deadline for August primary is July 20

Because Florida is a closed-primary state, voters may only vote for candidates in the party they are registered with in partisan races.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota County Charter Review Board candidate Andrew Sias
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 6, 2026
Charter Review Board District 5: Andrew Sias

The candidate answers questions from Observer Media Group ahead of the 2026 election.

  • Elections
Palmetto's Leland Taylor is one of six candidates vying for the Republican nomination in District 1.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 6, 2026
Palmetto lawyer vies for District 1 Republican nomination

Criminal defense attorney Leland Taylor, who is running for a Manatee County Commission seat, was born and raised in District 1.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota County School Board candidate Frank DiCicco
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 1, 2026
Sarasota County School Board District 4: Frank Dicicco

The candidate answers questions from Observer Media Group ahead of the 2026 election.

  • Elections
Sarasota County School Board candidate Teresa DeWitt
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 1, 2026
Sarasota County School Board District 1: Teresa DeWitt

The candidate answers questions from Observer Media Group ahead of the 2026 election.

  • Elections
Sarasota County Hospital Board candidate Bill Woeltjen
  • By Observer Staff
  • July 1, 2026
Sarasota County Public Hospital Board, at-large Seat 1: Bill Woeltjen

The candidate answers questions from Observer Media Group ahead of the 2026 election.

  • Elections
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Latest News

1
Palm Avenue is one of only two downtown streets that require paid parking. The other is Main Street.
  • July 15, 2026
Downtown business owners rail against revised paid parking rules
2
Kristen Little plays with Jubilee.
  • July 15, 2026
Sarasota County Animal Services seeks adoptions as it nears capacity
3
Logan Shaw, Wolfe Shaw, Michael Garey and Calvin Shaw, the team behind the new M & W Sweet Spot frozen treat shop on Longboat Key, showcase a variety of their offerings, including frozen custard sandwiches and drinks.
  • July 15, 2026
From frozen custard to soft serve, Longboat's treats help locals stay cool
4
Utility lines are strung along rear yards on some streets on Lido Key.
  • July 15, 2026
Burying power lines on barrier islands tops City Commission agenda
5
A firefighter sprays the roof of a Dock on the Bay condo building Wednesday morning, July 15.
  • July 15, 2026
Fire engulfs Dock on the Bay condo units

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