Carol Ann Felts wins Republican primary for Manatee County Commission District 1 seat
The third time was the charm for Carol Ann Felts.
After losing two previous county commission races, Felts defeated Steve Metallo by earning 5,427 votes (54.07%), according to preliminary results in the Republican primary election for the Manatee County Commission District 1 seat.
Felts, a Myakka City resident, was running for the third election cycle in a row. She previously challenged former County Commissioner Carol Whitmore’s countywide seat in 2022 and as a write-in candidate against former District 5 County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh in 2020. Both bids were unsuccessful.
According to her campaign website, Felts’ platform includes affordable housing, veterans care and fiscal responsibility.
Metallo, who raised $101,155 for his campaign, lives in Parrish, according to his website.
Metallo’s campaign policies include cutting taxes for Manatee County residents, investing in traffic-reducing infrastructure projects and supporting the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
Felts’ victory moves her into November’s general election, where she faces two challengers. They are Glenn Pearson, a Democrat, and Jennifer (Jen) Lynne Hamey, an Independent.
District 1 represents more than 77,000 people, according to the 2020 U.S. Census data. The district covers parts of Palmetto, Parrish and Myakka City.
This story was originally published August 20, 2024 at 7:38 PM.
