Qualifying for Bradenton Beach’s Nov. 4 elections ended Aug. 29 with no contested races.
Three incumbents qualified for three posts, while no one qualified for a fourth post, the seat that Commissioner Jan Vosburgh is vacating.
Mayor John Chappie, who has lived in the city for nearly 50 years, qualified and, with no challenger, automatically wins another two-year term. Chappie, who has held the mayor’s office for more than 12 years across two separate tenures, said he wanted to serve again to continue to guide the city through its recovery from the 2024 hurricanes. Chappie also served on the city commission for six years.
The commission is comprised of four wards, or districts, but voters select their representatives in a citywide poll.
Commissioner Debbie Scaccianoce, appointed in December 2023, also qualified and, unopposed, automatically wins a two-year term representing Ward 1.
Commissioner Ralph Cole qualified to serve a one-year term and, facing no opposition, is automatically returned to office. Cole lost his Ward 3 seat at one point, then regained it due to a city change in ward boundaries.
Vosburgh, who has served the city since 2013, decided not to seek reelection, and no one else qualified for the Ward 4 seat.
Under the city charter, vacancies on the dais are filled by commission appointment rather than election by the voters.
After Vosburgh’s departure in November, the commission will advertise the opening and then fill the vacancy for the two-year term from within the ward.
Bradenton Beach commissioners earn $400 per month and the mayor earns $800 per month.