In Manatee County, voters cast ballots for county commission, a bond initiative, school board and more.
In the District 3 county commission race, for the seat that includes Anna Maria Island and Cortez, Republican Kevin Van Ostenbridge defeated independent Matt Bower with 58.44% of the vote.
Van Ostenbridge succeeds Stephen R. Jonsson, who decided not to seek reelection.
Others winning seats on the county commission: Republican James Satcher in District 1, incumbent Vanessa Baugh in District 5 and Republican George w. Kruse in at-large District 7. Baugh and Kruse were not opposed.
All county voters faced a bond question on their ballot. The “Water Quality Protection, Fish and Wildlife Habitat Preservation, and Park Ad Valorem Tax and Bonds” referendum asked voters to approve the levy of an additional 0.15 mill ad valorem tax for 20 years, as well as issue up to $50 million in general obligation bonds.
The question was approved with 71% of the vote and voters in all three island cities approved the question by more than 65%.
The money will be used to purchase land to protect water quality, acquire wildlife habitat, reduce flooding, conserve natural areas, provide parks and manage environmentally sensitive properties.
Also on the ballot …
In Florida Senate District 21, Republican Jim Boyd defeated Democrat Anthony “Tony” Eldon with 62% of the vote. This is the seat held by Bill Galvano, who was term-limited out.
In Florida House District 71, Republican incumbent Will Robinson won a return to office over Democrat Andy Mele with 59.9% of the vote.
In Congressional District 16, Republican incumbent Vern Buchanan defeated Democrat Margaret Good with 59.7% of the vote.
Republican incumbent Mike Bennett defeated Democrat Charles Williams Jr. for county supervisor of elections. Bennett had 65.6% of the vote.
For state attorney, Republican Ed Brodsky defeated Democrat Betsy Young.
In an upset for Manatee County School Board, Mary Foreman defeated incumbent Dave “Watchdog” Miner with 58.8% of the vote.
The ballot also contained the presidential race, judicial races and retentions, special district races and six state constitutional amendments.
Floridians amended the state constitution to require U.S. citizenship to vote, which already was required; set a course for minimum wage increases; and enacted property tax discounts. Measures to change Florida’s primaries and require two votes on constitutional amendments failed.
— Lisa Neff
Presidential bout on AMI
Democratic challenger Joe Biden was declared the winner of the presidential race but, as of Islander press time, Republican incumbent Donald Trump was contesting results.
Florida’s decision in the race was determined on Election Day, with 51.2% of the vote for Trump.
In Manatee County, Trump won 57.56% to Biden’s 41.38%.
And here are some numbers for Anna Maria Island:
- Precinct 301, Anna Maria: Trump, 54%; Biden. 45.7%.
- Precinct 303, north Holmes Beach: Trump, 60%; Biden, 38.5%.
Precinct 305, south Holmes Beach: Trump, 57%; Biden, 42%.
Precinct 307, Bradenton Beach: Trump, 56.7%; Biden, 42%.