Developers back Ron Reagan for Manatee commission seat

MANATEE -- Local developers have thrown their support behind former state Rep. Ron Reagan for the District 1 seat on the Manatee County Commission.

The Republican, who is running for the seat that covers Parrish and north county, received $50,124 in campaign contributions during the last reporting period, increasing his total to $55,774.

Companies associated with Carlos Beruff's Medallion Home contributed a total of $10,000 to Reagan's campaign. Beruff, a longtime Manatee County homebuilder, is running for U.S. Senate.

Reagan received a total of $4,000 from Pat Neal and companies associated with Neal Communities and $2,000 from companies associated with Schroeder-Manatee Ranch.

"I'm very honored that people showed support to me," Reagan said.

Reagan, who is in the process of moving to Parrish, said the contributions demonstrate people are supportive of him and think he could bring his previous experience and connections from when he was in the Florida House of Representatives to help benefit Manatee County.

"I think they believe in me and think I can do the job as a county commissioner," he said.

Other contributors to Reagan in the last reporting period, which was the month of February, include:

$750 from Feld Entertainment.

$500 from Robert Beall.

$500 from Beall's PAC.

$100 from Bradenton Mayor Wayne Poston.

$1,000 from Halfacre Construction Co.

$1,000 from Floridians United for a Sustainable Economy, a political action com

mittee.

There are five other candidates running for the District 1 seat on the commission, which is currently held by Larry Bustle, who is not running for re-election.

Republican Priscilla Whisenant Trace, who along with her family developed Ellenton Nursery Growers, has received the second most in campaign contributions so far. During the last reporting period, Trace received $11,950 of her $13,575 total.

Trace's contributors include trucking companies, a packing house and landscaping companies.

Republican Corie Holmes, former Manatee County sheriff's deputy and a former Democrat, has received $9,738.67 to date. Palmetto City Commissioner Jonathan Davis, a Republican, has received $450 to date. Parrish resident Dustin Schaal, who is a Republican, loaned his campaign $100, which is his only contribution to date. Former county employee Michael Hillesheim, a write-in candidate, also loaned his campaign $100, making that his only contribution to date.

Three other Manatee County Commission seats will be on the ballot in 2016.

In the District 3 race, which covers West Bradenton and Anna Maria Island, Manatee County Planning Commission member Matt Bower, who is running without a party affiliation, has received $2,100 to date. Republican candidate Steve Jonsson, who is a businessman, filed for the seat, which is held by John Chappie, who is not running for re-election, after the last reporting period ended.

In the District 5 race, which covers Lakewood Ranch and Myakka City, incumbent Vanessa Baugh, a Republican, is leading the way in campaign contributions in that race with $61,275 to date. Baugh, who was elected to the commission in 2012, has one challenger. Republican Kathleen Grant has $3,130.50 in contributions, which have come solely from herself.

In the District 7 at-large race, incumbent Betsy Benac, a Republican, has $200 in contributions to date. Benac has one challenger for the seat. Republican Candace Luther has loaned herself $100, which is her only contribution to date.

Claire Aronson, Manatee County reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7024. Follow her on Twitter @Claire_Aronson.

This story was originally published March 18, 2016 at 12:08 AM with the headline "Developers back Ron Reagan for Manatee commission seat ."