Two West Manatee Fire Rescue commission seats are up for grabs this fall.
And incumbents want them back.
Commissioners Robert Bennett and Larry Jennis have filed paperwork with the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office declaring their intent to run for reelection in the Nov. 5 general election.
The district includes all of Anna Maria Island, Cortez and areas of the west side of unincorporated Manatee County.
The district’s qualification period will begin at noon Monday, June 10, and end at noon Friday, June 14.
WMFR’s fire commission consists of five at-large representatives who reside in the district. The district election is nonpartisan.
Current commissioners include Larry Jennis in Seat 1, Derrick Warner in Seat 2, Billy Burke in Seat 3, David Bishop in Seat 4 and Robert Bennett in Seat 5.
Bennett’s and Jennis’ terms will expire this November, while the other three commissioners’ terms expire in November 2026.
Both commissioners filed forms with the SEO announcing their intentions to seek reelection and were the only two to do so as of May 31.
Neither candidate had reported any contributions or expenditures, according to the SEO’s website, votemanatee.com.
WMFR commissioners receive a $6,000 annual salary and four-year terms.
To qualify with the SEO, candidates must open an official campaign bank account, appoint a treasurer and file a designation of campaign depository form before accepting contributions or expending funds.
A candidate must then file a statement of candidacy with the SEO within 10 days of filing the financial forms.
Finally, nonpartisan candidates must pay a filing fee of 4% of one year’s salary of the office sought, or present certification of petition signatures equal to 1% of the voters from the district’s last general election.
If prospective candidates fail to qualify with the SEO before the end of the qualifying window, they cannot run in the upcoming Nov. 5 election.
The deadline to register to vote in the election is Monday, Oct. 7.