Spray, Mullis Lead Manatee School Board Races: Unofficial Results

Updated: 11:18 p.m., Tuesday

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — Voters in Bradenton and across Manatee County took to the polls in Tuesday’s primary election in a number of races, including federal, state and local elections.

Among them, residents had their say in two Manatee County School Board races, while Republicans selected their nominees in four Manatee County Commission elections.

All races and results can be found at the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections office website.

Manatee County School Board

Incumbent Cindy Spray led the pack of candidates in the Manatee County School Board District 2 race 34.17 percent of the vote, unofficial results from the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections showed as of 10:35 p.m., with all precincts reporting to the office.

Her opponents earned the following percentages of the vote: James T. Golden (13.2), Sharon Jefferson (26.83 percent), Margi Nanney (19.15 percent) and JT White (6.65 percent).

As of 11:15 p.m., with all precincts reporting to the office, the District 6 race remained especially tight.

Jonathan Mullis had a slight lead with 35.31 percent of the vote, unofficial results showed. His opponents followed closely behind him with Camden Bedinghaus earning 34.07 percent of the vote and Chantal Wilford taking home 30.62 percent.

The top two vote-getters in both races will head to a Nov. 3 run-off election.

Manatee County Commission

Republicans cast their ballots to choose their party’s candidates in four Manatee County Board of County Commission races for the Nov. 3 election.

In District 1, Elizabeth Arnold held the lead in a crowded field with 27.96 percent of the vote, unofficial results from the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections office showed, with all precincts reporting, as of 11:15 p.m.

Behind her, John Dunn earned 19.65 percent of the vote, Michael L. Harrison earned 6.36 percent, Adam Johnson earned 12.03 percent, Mark Stanoch earned 24.61 percent, and Leland Taylor earned 9.39 percent.

The winner in this race will face the Democratic nominee, Sari Lindroos-Valimaki, and write-in candidate Jack D. May, Jr., in the general election.

In District 2, GOP incumbent Amanda Ballard held the lead Tuesday as of 10:25 p.m. with 67.45 percent of the vote, unofficial results showed. Her opponent, Edward Bailey, earned 32.55 percent of the vote.

The winner in this race faces Democrat Charles B. Smith, Jr., on Nov. 3.

In the District 4 Republican primary, incumbent Mike Rahn held a lead over opponent Glenn Gibellina on Tuesday, as of 10:25 p.m., with 67.47 percent of the vote, unofficial results show. Gibellina took home 32.53 percent.

The winner of this race will face write-in candidate Allison S. Sneed on Nov. 3.

In the District 6 at-large race, four candidates were vying for the Republican nod.

Tara Poulton held the lead Tuesday night, as of 10:20 p.m., with 38.27 percent of the vote, unofficial results showed.

Her opponents received the following percentage of the vote: Tony Barrett, 13.93 percent; John B. Calovich, 15.43 percent; and Ed Ference, 32.36 percent.

The GOP winner in this race goes up against Democrat Reggie J. Bellamy on Nov. 3.