And, they’re off! Almost.
Qualifying began at noon June 18 in Bradenton Beach and two incumbents and two former planning and zoning members have filed qualifying paperwork with the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office.
Bradenton Beach has two commissioners whose terms are up, Ralph Cole and Marilyn Maro. Both have committed to seek re-election.
They are being challenged on the November ballot by former P&Z members John Metz and Bill Vincent.
It’s a first run for Metz, while Vincent ran and lost in 2016 to now-Mayor John Chappie.
Qualifying ends at noon Friday, June 22.
The top two vote-getters in the November balloting will take seats on the commission.
Commissioner Ralph Cole will wrap-up his third year in office in November. Cole lost his bid to retain his seat in 2017 but was appointed by the commission to fill the one-year remainder of then-Commissioner John Chappie, who was elected mayor.
Commissioner Marilyn Maro also is running for re-election. She was among two candidates considered by commissioners for an appointed seat in 2016, and she won the seat after a tie vote and a card draw.
Former P&Z member Bill Vincent qualified, but declined an interview in light of pending litigation with the city.
Planning and zoning chair Jim Lynch picked up a packet at city hall, but said June 13 he decided not to run, citing his volunteer ombudsman work and time with family as priorities.
Candidates must be registered voters who have lived in Bradenton Beach for a minimum 12 months as of the qualifying date.
The qualifying fee for commission candidates is $48 and must be paid from a campaign bank account.
Candidates must submit qualifying paperwork, including an affidavit, financial disclosure and fees to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office, 600 301 Blvd. W., Bradenton.
The final day to register to vote is Oct. 9. The election will be Nov. 6.
Of 744 registered voters in Bradenton Beach, 387 people voted in the November 2017 municipal election.
Bradenton Beach is the only city on Anna Maria Island with term limits, restricting commissioners and the mayor to three consecutive two-year terms.