Candidates continue shakeup in Manatee Commission races as Kruse switches to District 7
Following a shakeup in the race to represent District 7 on the Board of County Commissioners, George Kruse has also announced that he will switch his campaign to that seat.
Shortly after Commissioner Betsy Benac announced last week that she would no longer seek re-election to her at-large seat on the Board of County Commissioners, former county administrator Ed Hunzeker said he would run for the countywide seat, instead of District 5.
Kruse made his decision on Friday in a Facebook post. The 44-year-old candidate had previously launched a campaign to unseat Commissioner Priscilla Whisenant Trace in District 1, which represents Ellenton, Parrish and parts of East Bradenton.
“This countywide seat will allow for broader, more universal discussions on the issues being faced by all residents of our community and will allow for full utilization of my private sector background and experience in order to bring new ideas to our board for the benefit of all residents of our county,” Kruse wrote.
Reached for comment Tuesday evening, Kruse reiterated that his ideas for the county make more sense in an at-large position.
“At the end of the day, I sincerely think I can do more good for Manatee County with an unbiased eye toward the whole county,” he explained.
Some of those ideas include diversifying Manatee County’s industries and workforce, taking a closer look at the county budget and advocating for “smart growth.”
Kruse’s decision also pits him against a well-known name in Manatee County. Hunzeker served as county administrator for 12 years and is credited with making tough decisions that steered Manatee through the recession.
But Kruse has made those same tough decisions in the private sector, he said.
“There’s always the issue of name recognition. I just believe that because I built a company through a recession and made decisions that were tough to make,” said Kruse. “Those are the decisions people have to make in government. There’s going to be some level of working through things and helping people out.”
Benac said she would be endorsing Hunzeker to succeed her on the commission.
After Kruse’s move, three Republican candidates are now vying for their party’s nomination in the Aug. 18 primary. According to campaign finance records, Kruse has already raised nearly $13,000. Hunzeker has raised about $52,000. Paul Finer, a local lawyer, has raised $8,000.
No Democrat has filed for the District 7 at-large seat.
