One day after filing, Palmetto City Commission candidate forced to drop out

PALMETTO -- It may be the shortest election campaign in Manatee County history, but one day after filing to run against long-time At-Large Palmetto Commissioner Tamara Cornwell, Roberto Gonzalez will have to drop out of the race.

The Palmetto business owner and online ministries pastor resides in the 400 block of 41st Street East, just across the street from the city boundary. Though Gonzalez has a Palmetto address, he lives outside the city in Manatee County and therefore is ineligible to run for city office.

Gonzalez said he would pull out of the race immediately and apologized to those who were supporting his election bid.

"We just found out last night, so we have to go ahead and pull out," said Gonzalez. "I got a phone call that we might have an issue and I take the blame for the mistake. It is what it is."

Gonzalez said he is considering moving into the city to be eligible to run in the future.

"We want to run correctly and don't want to do anything incorrectly," he said. "I have the passion and the heart for our community. It's not about me. I'm still involved with the (Community Redevelopment Agency), still a business owner in the city and a Christian leader. I'll still continue to work with the mayor and the police chief and with the commissioners and will continue to look at what else I can get involved with to serve my community."

This story was originally published May 5, 2016 at 11:17 PM with the headline "One day after filing, Palmetto City Commission candidate forced to drop out ."