Bradenton Councilman Harold Byrd Jr. sets sight on mayor’s seat, with a ‘fresh vision’
A longtime city councilman says he’s ready to take his public service — and the city of Bradenton — to the next level.
Harold Byrd Jr. has announced his bid for mayor, challenging Mayor Wayne Poston, who has led the city for 20 years. It’s time for a “fresher vision,” said Byrd, who was first elected nearly 30 years ago and represents Bradenton’s Ward 5.
On City Council, however, Byrd’s role has been on the legislative side of government. If elected as mayor, he said in an interview with the Bradenton Herald, he hopes to steer the city’s progress as a vocal leader in the executive branch.
“I don’t want to get into criticizing anyone leading our city right now, however, what we have to look at is how we have a 20-year mayor,” Byrd said. “We need a vision that’s going to take us forward. I want to bring a vision to Bradenton and the best way is in the executive.”
Byrd served on the council from 1989 to 1995, and again since 2007.
Bradenton’s previous mayor, Bill Evers, also served for nearly 20 years. Poston, who first took office in 2000, says he feels his leadership has been effective.
“I don’t know what fresher vision you need,” Poston said. “We’ve made progress in every aspect of the city. I think I have a good record on which to run and we run on the record we both have. I’m happy with the progress we’ve made and I think Bradenton residents are, as well.”
According to Byrd, more progress has to be made when it comes to economic development, revitalizing neighborhoods and making sure that local housing stays affordable. Those issues are among the top of his campaign platform.
“As we look forward, the first and foremost thing is going to be looking at the economic situations we’re going to face over the next few years,” Byrd said, referring to the long-term effects of local business closures and layoffs that stem from the coronavirus pandemic.
“We have to make sure the local economy comes back from where we’re at right now. I’d like to see economic development as a top priority,” he added.
COVID-19 will likely bring big changes to the way candidates campaign in 2020, Byrd predicted. The outbreak is part of the reason that his campaign didn’t launch with fanfare last week.
“Right now, we’re trying to do what we can to get through the crisis. The city is doing what we can to keep the community safe. The campaign comes second. We did feel the need to go ahead and take step one, but now is the time to take of getting through this crisis.”
If social distancing rules stay in place throughout the coming months, it could transform the way candidates spend money. Sign waving and campaign rallies could give way to social media advertising online. That could give an advantage to Poston, who has raised $80,000 since launching his re-election campaign last year.
In Byrd’s eyes, though, Poston’s fundraising lead doesn’t necessarily translate into votes.
“Sure, it’d be nice to have that kind of money in there, but sometimes you raise that kind of money and you have to follow the trail a little bit. It’s about residents. It’s about voters,” said Byrd, who noted that he was outspent in his last campaign, as well.
Byrd’s campaign could also turn into a historic moment. He would become the first African-American mayor in the city’s history.
“It’s important to say that it’s 2020 and it’s never happened before, but people embrace and they know me,” Byrd said about the opportunity. “They know I wouldn’t just be the first black mayor, but I would be an honest and proven leader who can lead the city of Bradenton.”
Dimitrie Denis, who ran for the Manatee Board of County Commissioners in 2018, is another African-American candidate for Bradenton’s mayoral seat.
This story was originally published April 7, 2020 at 2:48 PM.
