For the first time in nearly 30 years, Manatee County will be getting a new supervisor of elections come November.
The current supervisor of elections, Bob Sweat, is retiring after 28 years in office.
"It’s been a nice ride here," Sweat said. "The people have been really supportive."
Now the effort to fill his seat is getting a lot of attention.
Seven people have announced their plans to run for his position.
They are state Sen. Mike Bennett, former county commissioner Jane Von Hahmann, former Manatee County NAACP president Edward Bailey, architect Richard Bedford, pastor Charles Williams, Eric Hanson and Rodney Smithley.
Six of the candidates running are Republicans. Only one is a Democrat.
In August, voters will decide on one of the Republicans to run against the Democrat for the November elections.
During Bob Sweat’s time in office, the number of registered voters in Manatee County grew from 64,000 to 201,000.
Sweat said 80 percent of eligible voters are registered in Manatee.