Jonathan Mullis, a 49-year-old Lakewood Ranch resident and business owner, is running for Manatee County School Board District 5 in the Nov. 3 general election. The nonpartisan race pits Mullis against Camden Bedinghaus.

Asked why he is running, Mullis said in our candidate questionnaire: "I want to put my experience to work for the people of our community. I have seen firsthand how decisions made by government affect families, businesses, and the organizations that serve our neighbors." He added: "School board should be about service, accountability, and results for our students, teachers, parents and community, not about partisan politics."

Candidate information

Party affiliation: Mullis said in our questionnaire: "I am a registered Republican. However, this is a nonpartisan school board race, and both candidates in the general election runoff are registered Republicans."

Residence: Lakewood Ranch. Mullis said he has lived in Manatee County for approximately nine years, having relocated to Lakewood Ranch in 2017 after living in Boston for two decades, according to his campaign finance filing.

Education: Mullis said in our questionnaire: "I earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Northeastern University in Boston in 2000. In 2004, I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from Simmons University, also in Boston."

Family: Mullis said in our questionnaire: "I have been married to my wife, Sonia, for 21 years, and we have two teenage daughters. Our youngest began kindergarten in Manatee County and is now a freshman in a local public high school. Our oldest entered the district in fourth grade after we moved to Lakewood Ranch, graduated in May, and is now a freshman at the University of South Florida in Tampa."

He added: "If elected, I would be the only school board member with children currently attending Manatee County public schools."

Prior elected office: Mullis said in our questionnaire: "I have not previously held elected or appointed public office."

Experience and public service

Mullis is owner and CEO of Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida in Bradenton, a position he has held since 2018, according to The Florida Trib. He previously owned Mullis and Associates Physical Therapy in Massachusetts from 2009 to 2017 and served as rehabilitation therapies manager at Boston Medical Center from 2000 to 2009.

His civic involvement includes serving as president of the Bradenton Kiwanis Club and Junior Leadership Manatee, according to his campaign filing and The Florida Trib. He is a board member of the Manatee Tiger Bay Club, a member of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, and a committee member on the Manatee Chamber of Commerce's healthcare and legislative committees. He has volunteered with Project TEACH at Gullett Elementary School and Big Bank Theory at Lakewood Ranch High School, according to his campaign website.

On the issues

Asked what sets him apart, Mullis said in our questionnaire: "I am the only candidate with the breadth of experience and qualifications needed to serve effectively from day one. As a parent of a student currently attending a Manatee County public school, I experience the district's decisions firsthand."

On how his business background would inform his board service, Mullis said: "Running a physical therapy business for nearly 17 years taught me how to manage budgets, lead employees, comply with complex regulations, and remain accountable to the people I serve."

Mullis said he wants to expand career and technical education and dual-enrollment opportunities, according to The Florida Trib. He also said the district should follow state guidelines on book concerns. He proposed a volunteer program where community members help mentor children each week in reading and post-graduation planning.

Asked for his message to undecided voters, Mullis said in our questionnaire: "I am running to serve, not to advance a political agenda. I will bring independent judgment, steady leadership, and the perspective of a parent with a child currently attending a Manatee County public school."

The Lakewood Ranch Beacon profiled Bedinghaus on Wednesday, Oct. 7.