Developer money makes early difference in Baugh vs. Hunzeker Manatee commission race
One of the area’s largest developers has thrown its weight behind a familiar face in the race to represent District 5 on the Manatee Board of County Commissioners.
Boosted by $10,000 from various entities connected to Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, former county administrator Ed Hunzeker has outraised incumbent commissioner Vanessa Baugh in the early months of the 2020 election cycle.
Hunzeker, like Baugh, a Republican, announced a surprise candidacy for the seat just days before his opponent, and he hit the ground running, according to finance reports. He reeled in more than $14,000 in October, thanks in part to hefty donations from SMR, the developer behind the master-planned Lakewood Ranch community.
Manatee County’s District 5 seat represents East Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch and Myakka City.
As a newcomer candidate in 2012, Baugh also collected $10,000 in support from several SMR-connected donors. In her 2016 re-election campaign, SMR donated another $6,000. SMR hasn’t donated to Baugh yet this cycle, but the incumbent commissioner has already found support from a handful of businesses linked to developers.
Baugh also announced her 2020 run in October but didn’t officially launch her campaign and start collecting donations until a Nov. 18 kickoff reception. Her campaign reports that no money was raised in October, but she outraised Hunzeker in November and December with more traditional grassroots donations.
Campaign finance reports show 56 donors pitched in to Baugh’s campaign in December, contributing more than $16,000. In the past three months, Hunzeker has received just 49 donations but holds a $6,000 lead over Baugh.
While each candidate has raked in thousands of dollars, they haven’t been too keen to start spending that money just yet. Baugh has spent about $800 on checking supplies and accounting services, and another $1,500 on a consulting firm. Hunzeker’s only expenses so far come out to $6 for banking fees.
Baugh and Hunzeker did not immediately respond to the Bradenton Herald’s request for comment on their campaign finances.
A history of tension between Baugh, Hunzeker
Baugh and Hunzeker are heading for a faceoff in the GOP primary on Aug. 18.
They have a history of conflict from their years of overlapping tenure with Manatee County Government.
Hunzeker was hired as the county administrator in 2006, and is credited with steering Manatee County through the midst of the Great Recession. Baugh was first elected in 2012, and often clashed with Hunzeker’s administrative decisions.
As board chairman in 2016, Baugh led a failed effort to find for a new administrator. Commissioners ultimately extended Hunzeker’s contract.
Their last dispute came in Hunzeker’s final months serving the board when he administratively approved a controversial radio tower near Kinnan Park.
Baugh was then put in charge of writing Hunzeker a letter of reprimand that said he “created a major lack of trust,” with the board, even though the County Attorney’s Office had recommended the administrative approval of the tower.
When Hunzeker retired in March 2019, he told the Bradenton Herald he would find a job that could help advance the community in some way.
“At some point, I’ll do something, and I’ll want to do something helpful,” he said.
If elected, Hunzeker says his priorities would include providing more county services out east, maintaining a conservative budget and reducing taxes. Baugh hopes to continue working with the board on road improvements, infrastructure upgrades and protecting natural resources.
This story was originally published February 8, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
