One of the big winners in the state primary in Manatee County is fomer State Sen. Mike Bennett. Bennett won the Republican primary for Supervisor of Elections. Bennett is retiring from the Florida Senate due to term limits. He faces two opponents in November, democrat Charles Williams and write-in candidate Smokey Smithley.

Sheriff Brad Steuebe has won re-election to his post as the head of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.  He defeated challenger William Waldron by a wide margin.

"I'm very pleased. I'm grateful to community for relecting me back to this position but I think it's a reflection on men and women in sheriff's office," Steuebe said.

Steuebe has been in office since 2007.

County commission races

In the race for the District 1 seat of the Manatee County Commission, Lawrence Bustle Jr. won with 64 percent of the vote. He will face Democrat Corie Holmes in the general election.

In District 5, Republican Vanessa Baugh and Democrat James Golden won their respective primaries. They will face each other in November for the general election.

Challenger Betsy Benac defeated longtime commissioner Joe McClash in the Republican primary for the District 7 seat.

School board races

A run-off race will be held in for the District 2 seat between Dave "Watchdog" Miner and Robert Moates, who teaches government and economics at Lakewood Ranch High School. 

The District 4 seat on the Manatee County School Board has been won by incumbent Bob Gause, who has served on the board since 2006.  He is currently the chair of the school board.

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Sheriff

  • Brad Steube - 78%
  • William Waldron - 22%

Supervisor of Elections (R)

  • Michael Bennett - 37%
  • Edward Bailey - 29%
  • Jane von Hahmann - 27%
  • Richard Bedford - 7%

County Commission - District 1 (R)

  • Lawrence Bustle Jr. - 64%
  • Nathaniel Leonard - 36%

County Commission - District 5 (R)

  • Vanessa Baugh - 58%
  • John Colon - 42%

County Commission - District 5 (D)

  • James Goulden - 67%
  • Frank Archino - 33%

County Commission - District 7 (R)

  • Betsy Benac - 51%
  • Joe McClash - 49%

School Board - District 2

  • Dave Miner - 48%
  • Robert Moates - 31%
  • Paul Sharff - 11%
  • William Chaltis - 9%

School Board - District 4

  • Bob Gause - 56%
  • Linda Schaich - 44%

For additional results, visit the Supervisor of Elections website.