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Elections

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
The School District of Manatee County Chair Cindy Spray has “passion with a purpose” as she runs for reelection.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 12, 2026
School board incumbent hopes 'passion with a purpose' gets her reelected

Cindy Spray is proud of what the board has accomplished during her Manatee County School Board term thus far and doesn't want to stop now.

  • East County
  • Schools
Registered voters in Sarasota County can cast their ballots at the Sarasota Terrace Building at 2001 Adams Lane.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • August 12, 2026
Longboat residents can vote early on mainland or by mail

The closest place Longboat Key residents can cast their vote early depends on what county they reside in.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
District 3's Jack May is a write-in candidate in the District 1 commission race.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 11, 2026
Write-in candidates close two Manatee County Republican primaries

Write-in candidate Jack May entered the District 1 race with a purpose other than winning.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota Tiger Bay Club Board Member Jon Thaxton asked Sarasota County commission candidates about their views Thursday before opening up the floor for a Q&A with members.
    By
  • Leah Schwarting
  • August 7, 2026
Sarasota County Commission candidates campaign as clock ticks down

Candidates spoke to the Sarasota Tiger Bay Club with less than two weeks to go before Election Day.

  • Sarasota
  • News
District 72 Rep. Bill Conerly and his challenger, John Phillips, attend a candidate forum at the Lakewood Ranch Library Aug. 1.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 3, 2026
District 72 House candidates speak to Lakewood Ranch Republican Club

Rep. Bill Conerly and John Phillips discussed legislation Aug. 1 at the Lakewood Ranch Library.

  • East County
  • News
Michelle Pozzi, candidate for Sarasota County School Board, District 5.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 28, 2026
Sarasota County School Board District 5: Michelle Pozzie

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

  • Elections
Sharon Jefferson, a homegrown Manatee student and 27-year educator, wants to be the voice of District 2 for the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 28, 2026
Longtime teacher wants to be the voice of her fellow instructors in District 2

Sharon Jefferson, who grew up attending Manatee schools and has taught within them for 27 years, wants to do more than she can within a classroom.

  • East County
  • Schools
About 50 local, state and federal candidates attended "Meet the Candidates" at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing July 16.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 20, 2026
Meet the candidates event draws hundreds to Lakewood Ranch

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance was one of the sponsors of the event at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.

  • East County
  • News
Retired Sarasota Police Sergeant Jim DeNiro is challenging incumbent Joe Neunder for the Sarasota County Commission District 4 seat.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 16, 2026
County Commission District 4: Jim DeNiro

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

  • 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
Yevgeny Khodorkovsky
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 14, 2026
City Commission: Yevgeny Khodorkovsky

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

  • Elections
County Commission candidate District 4, Joseph Neunder
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 14, 2026
County Commission District 4: Joseph Neunder

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

  • Elections
Sarasota City Commission candidate Jen Ahearn-Koch
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 14, 2026
City Commission: Jen Ahearn-Koch

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

  • Elections
Kristina Sargent, candidate for Sarasota County Commission
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 14, 2026
County Commission District 2: Kristina Sargent

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

  • Elections
1 2 3 4 »
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Latest News

1
Chris Watts stretches Petar Sibinkic in the newly-expanded Longboat Key Fitness studio at 511 Bay Isles Pkwy.
  • August 14, 2026
Fitness pairs with mobility at Longboat Key Fitness
2
Balos Restaurant will be located on the ground floor of The Edge Sarasota in a 7,200-square-foot space.
  • August 14, 2026
Mediterranean restaurant to make Florida debut in downtown Sarasota
3
Schroeder-Manatee Ranch has built a path on Bourneside Boulevard, from State Road 64 to University Parkway.
  • August 14, 2026
Manatee County focuses on growing its trails
4
A health advisory has been issued for water quality at North Lido Beach.
  • August 13, 2026
Health advisory issued for North Lido Beach water quality
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