BRADENTON, Fla. – The League of Women Voters of Manatee County (LWV Manatee) are hosting a series of hour-long virtual candidate forums during the weeks of June 29, 2026 and July 6, 2026. This series of candidate forums are part of LWV Manatee’s commitment to the League’s nonpartisan mission in empowering voters so voters can make an informed vote during the August midterm elections. These candidate forums give constituents the opportunity to meet candidates running for County School Board, County Commission, State House Representative, State Senate, and U.S. House Representative. Dates and times for the respective candidate forums are listed below. Members of the press interested in attending the forums must also register to attend using the respective links below.
- June 30, 2026 at 6 p.m.: Manatee County School Board District 5 Candidate Forum. Candidates participating in this forum are Camden T. Bedinghaus, Jonathan Mullis, and Chantal Wilford. Manatee County residents interested in attending register here.
- July 1, 2026 at 6 p.m.: Board of County Commissioners District 2 Republican Candidate Forum. Candidates participating in this forum are Edward A. Bailey, Jr. and Amanda Ballard. Manatee County residents interested in attending register here.
- July 2, 2026 at 6 p.m.: Florida House of Representatives District 72 Republican Candidate Forum. Candidates participating in this forum are Bill Conerly and John Phillips II. Manatee County residents interested in attending register here.
- July 7, 2026 at 5 p.m.: Florida Senate District 20 Democrat Candidate Forum. Candidates participating in this forum are Gerald Baldi and John Houman. Manatee County residents interested in attending register here.
- July 8, 2026 at 4 p.m.: County Commissioner District 1 Republican Candidate Forum. Candidates participating in this forum are Elizabeth Arnold, John Dunn, Mike Harrison, Adam Johnson, Mark Stanoch, and Leland Taylor. Manatee County residents interested in attending register here.
- July 9, 2026 at 4: p.m.: Congressional District 16 Republican Candidate Forum. Candidates participating in this form are Edward Pope and Eddie Spier. Congressional candidate Sydney Gruters has not yet accepted LWV Manatee’s invitation to participate. Manatee County residents interested in attending register here.
“The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization that is passionate about empowering voters during the election season,” said League of Women Voters of Manatee County President Ruth Harenchar. “We warmly welcome our neighbors across Manatee County to join us and get to know the candidates. An informed vote is a powerful vote, and that’s what’s beautiful about our electoral system.”
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CONTACT
Alice Newlon