Bradenton Mayor Wayne Poston ends re-election bid after two decades at City Hall
After serving the city of Bradenton for more than 20 years, Mayor Wayne Poston has announced that he is no longer seeking re-election in November.
The news late Wednesday afternoon came the same day as Poston’s controversial veto of a proposed charter amendment that would have removed the mayor’s responsibility as commissioner of police if it had been approved by voters. Poston was first elected mayor in 1999.
“I wanted to get the charter thing done. I mean it’ll be 21 years in January. I think I’ve had a good career,” Poston said in an interview with the Bradenton Herald. “It’s been very positive and the city’s better off. It’s just really time.”
Poston, 76, said he’s most proud of Bradenton’s progress in the past two decades, citing the success of the Bradenton Riverwalk, the Bradenton Area River Regatta and the Bradenton Blues Festival. An eye for progress and leadership is something the next mayor should have, too, he said.
“Leadership is key to me in everything I’ve ever done. It just needs to be someone with experience who loves the city and has worked in the city,” said Poston, a former executive editor at the Bradenton Herald.
Local leaders were shocked to hear of Poston’s withdrawal. The 20-year mayor first filed for re-election in the 2020 election cycle in March 2019. His re-election campaign had already raised more than $82,000.
Former Bradenton City Council member Marianne Barnebey unsuccessfully ran against Poston for mayor in 2012.
“I am very surprised,” she said of Poston’s decision not to seek reelection.
“That is just amazing. Twenty years is plenty of time, I think. Wayne has done a fabulous job as mayor, but I applaud him for leaving the position open for someone new,” said local businessman John Horne. “He has improved our city dramatically. We owe him a great debt of gratitude.”
Two current council members plan to compete for the mayor’s seat in November. Councilman Harold Byrd, Jr. announced his bid for the position in April.
Councilman Gene Brown enters race
On the same day as the mayor’s withdrawal from the race, Councilman Gene Brown announced Wednesday that he is running for the mayor’s seat, as well.
Due to resign-to-run laws, Brown is also immediately resigning from his position as a councilman because he filed to run for the seat during the qualifying period. Byrd, who filed to run earlier, will remain on Bradenton City Council.
“I am willing to give up my seat to go in and help our city and to become mayor with a positive impact,” Brown said.
Whoever wins the mayoral election in November, will be only the third mayor of Bradenton in more than 40 years. Poston’s predecessor, Bill Evers, also served for two decades.
Brown, who has served the council for more than seven years, is a lifelong Bradenton resident. If elected, he said he hopes to put an emphasis on civility in the council chambers.
“During my time up there, we’ve really progressed the city in a great direction, but it’s gotten very negative lately,” Brown said, referring to heated discussions regarding the proposed charter amendments. “I want to bring more positiveness to the council and our employees of the city and the citizens.”
“If you don’t have a positive impact in politics, you’re not helping people,” he added.
Brown, whose family owns a local funeral home, also opposed the City Council’s attempt to place the police oversight charter amendment on the ballot in November. His main concern, he said, was the lack of input from the public.
“There can be improvements on everything we do, but it’s got to be done in the right way,” Brown explained. “I’m looking forward to a true committee that will make our police department better, but then it got political.”
Brown’s campaign will be focused on expanding the city’s downtown growth, preserving public safety and repairing Bradenton’s aging infrastructure. He also committed to not becoming a 20-year mayor.
“I do not plan to be a long-term, 20-year mayor,” said Brown. “This is a job I want to do because I want to help. It’s not something people should make careers out of.”
Dimitrie Denis is also running for the mayor’s seat in November. Bradenton voters will determine the city’s next mayor on Nov. 3.
This story was originally published June 10, 2020 at 6:36 PM.
