Four Manatee County Commission seats that govern land-use and infrastructure decisions affecting Lakewood Ranch now have their November matchups set after the Aug. 18 Republican primary delivered wins for well-funded incumbents and a former chamber executive in three of four races.
Incumbents Amanda Ballard, District 2, and Mike Rahn, District 4, won with roughly 67% of the vote each, according to unofficial results from the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections. In the countywide District 6 race — the only commission contest in which Manatee County residents of Lakewood Ranch could vote — Tara Poulton topped a four-candidate field with 38.27%. Poulton serves as district chief of staff to Congressman Vern Buchanan and previously was vice president of public policy and workforce partnerships at the Manatee Chamber of Commerce.
The lone grassroots win came in District 1, where neighborhood activist Elizabeth “Liz” Arnold edged Mark Stanoch by about 400 votes in a crowded six-candidate special election, despite being outraised by nearly 2-to-1. Stanoch raised more than $46,000 to Arnold’s $27,000, the Bradenton Herald reported.
District 1: Arnold wins despite funding gap
Arnold captured 3,401 votes, or 27.96%, out of 12,162 cast in the Republican primary. The special election fills the seat left vacant after Commissioner Carol Ann Felts died in February. The winner in November will serve the remainder of Felts’ term through November 2028.
Arnold advances to the Nov. 3 general election against Democrat Sari Lindroos-Valimaki and write-in candidate Jack D. May Jr. The district includes Parrish, portions of Palmetto and Ellenton, Duette and Myakka City, where managing rural preservation amid rapid residential growth has been a central campaign issue.
Before the primary, Arnold told Suncoast Searchlight on Aug. 7 that the commission’s growth-control majority had struggled to deliver: “We tried really hard, we put up a good fight, and even with all that work, it’s still a 4-3 vote for more commercial, more paving over wetlands.”
Districts 2 and 4: Incumbents hold
Ballard, first elected in 2022, defeated challenger Edward Bailey Jr. with 3,036 votes, or 67.45%, to Bailey’s 1,465 in District 2. She faces Democrat Charles B. Smith Sr. in November.
Rahn defeated Glen Gibellina in District 4, collecting 4,055 votes, or 67.47%, to Gibellina’s 1,955. He faces write-in candidate Allison S. Sneed.
District 6: Poulton leads open-seat race
With incumbent Commissioner Jason Bearden not seeking re-election, Poulton won the four-way Republican primary with 16,328 votes. Ed Ference finished second with 13,805 votes, or 32.36%, followed by John B. Calovich, 15.43%, and Tony Barrett, 13.93%, according to Pulse of Manatee. Poulton faces former Manatee County Commissioner Reggie J. Bellamy, a Democrat, in November.
What it means for growth policy
The results contrast with the 2024 election, when four grassroots candidates won commission seats following Tropical Storm Debby flooding and voter anger over growth. Commissioner Bob McCann, who backed the grassroots challengers, acknowledged the outcome but alleged that developers supported the winning campaigns in an Aug. 22 Bradenton Herald story.
Countywide turnout was 30.32%, with 72,043 ballots cast among 237,646 registered voters. Results remain unofficial until certified.
What’s next
The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Voter registration closes Monday, Oct. 5, and early voting runs Oct. 19 through Nov. 1. Residents can check registration status and polling locations at VoteManatee.gov.
