• 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
    • Red Tide Map
    • 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
    • Red Tide Map
    • 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

Sarasota County Chief Deputy Tax Collector Sherri Smith and County Commissioner Mike Moran listen to a question along with moderator Morgan Bentley at the Sarasota Tiger Bay Club candidate forum.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 9, 2024
Surprise debate erupts at Tiger Bay Club candidate forum

Barbara Ford-Coates' chief lieutenant steps up to go toe-to-toe with Sarasota Tax Collector opponent Mike Moran.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Vicki Lynn Nighswander
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 30, 2024
Sarasota County Public Hospital Board, Central District, Seat 1: Vicki Lynn Nighswander

Meet the candidate.

  • Elections
Shari Kay Thornton
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 29, 2024
Sarasota County Commission District 3: Shari Kay Thornton

Meet the candidate.

  • Elections
How did Longboat Key votes fall in the 2024 primary election?
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 28, 2024
How did Longboat Key votes fall in the 2024 primary election?

Results from both of the island’s precincts show that Longboat Key residents voted similarly to the counties at large.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 16, 2024
Sarasota School Board election brings critical issues into spotlight

Candidates share their visions on issues including finances, political division and fostering academic success.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
GreyHawk Landing's Raymond Turner took over as District 5 commissioner on Aug. 1, 2023
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 7, 2024
Ray Turner says District 5 will get a long-term plan and transparency from him

The Manatee commissioner, who is running for reelection, stresses the county must "get ahead of the growth."

  • East County
  • News
George Kruse is running for re-election in District 7. The Kruse family from left to right: Alexander, Olivia, Jessica and George.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 6, 2024
Manatee Commissioner George Kruse goes grassroots for reelection

Kruse is running for reelection to the at-large District 7 seat.

  • East County
  • News
Observer recommends
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 19, 2024
Observer recommends

2024 primary election recommendations from Observer Media Group CEO and Founder Matt Walsh.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge at the Boyd Realty office. Van Ostenbridge is opposing Commissioner George Kruse for the District 7 seat in the primary election on Aug. 20.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 26, 2024
Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge seeks at-large seat

Currently the District 3 commissioner, Van Ostenbridge is introducing himself now to all the county's voters.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County Property Appraiser: Charles E. Hackney
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 25, 2024
Manatee County Property Appraiser: Charles E. Hackney

Meet the candidate.

  • Elections
Manatee County Supervisor of Elections: Scott Farrington
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 25, 2024
Manatee County Supervisor of Elections: Scott Farrington

Meet the candidate.

  • Elections
Manatee County Commission District 3: Tal Siddique
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 25, 2024
Manatee County Commission District 3: Tal Siddique

Meet the candidate.

  • Elections
Charter Review Board District 1: William Van Allen Jr.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 24, 2024
Charter Review Board District 1: William Van Allen Jr.

Meet the candidate.

  • Elections
Charter Review Board District 1: Nicholas R. Altier
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 24, 2024
Charter Review Board District 1: Nicholas R. Altier

Meet the candidate.

  • Elections
Jim Coler
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 24, 2024
Charter Review Board District 3: Jim Coler

Meet the candidate.

  • Elections
« 1 2 3 4 5 »
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
City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs and City Attorney Joe Polzak recently shepherded the City Commissioner's search for a new city manager.
  • March 26, 2026
City auditor and clerk awarded 15% base pay increase
2
David Lough is a regular fixture at Sarasota City Hall.
  • March 26, 2026
David Lough seeks to matter in local government involvement
3
Gary Love of Gary Love Photography shows an art festival-goer how the various places the light hits the shell-covered beach give the up-close image depth. He was one of several new artists featured at the Feb. 21-22 art festival on Longboat Key.
  • March 26, 2026
Art show upcoming this weekend
4
Joel Benham built the Giant Furby Chair.
  • March 26, 2026
Local artist makes larger-than-life versions of nostalgic objects
5
Noah Kumar spent the 2025 season on the PGA Tour Americas, but is poised to make his Korn Ferry Tour debut April 2 at the LECOM Suncoast Classic.
  • March 26, 2026
Guided by a golf legend, young pro returns home

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.

The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now