Siddique wins Republican primary in Manatee County District 3 commission race

Tal Siddique has defeated April Culbreath in the Republican primary for the District 3 seat on the Manatee County Commission.

Siddique leads with 5,783 votes — nearly 61% of the vote among Manatee County Republicans, according to preliminary results. Culbreath has received 3,712 votes.

Votes from all 16 precincts in District 3 have been tallied, as well as all early votes and partial vote-by-mail results.

District 3 includes Anna Maria Island, part of Longboat Key, part of Bradenton and the areas of Cortez, Palma Sola, Rubonia and Terra Ceia.

Both candidates are political newcomers and sought a first term on the board.

“After years of negativity and these consultants trying to fool voters into voting against their own interests, I hope that this is the year that voters can finally see the difference between special interests and everyday residents,” Siddique previously told the Herald. “I will always look out for the interests of everyday people over special interests.”

Culbreath, a career Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputy, said she would seek tax cuts and public safety improvements and preserve Manatee County’s “small town quality of life.” She said she would also prioritize making it easier for residents to build on private property.

Siddique, a software engineer who worked for the U.S. Air Force, pitched himself as the “grassroots conservative” with a promise to serve voters and not special interests. Siddique said he would focus on economic growth, funding infrastructure improvements and curbing rapid development.

During the campaign, political consultants working for Culbreath launched sensational attack ads aimed at Siddique and his wife that prompted them to take legal action.

Meanwhile, Culbreath’s record of disciplinary action during her career at the sheriff’s office drew scrutiny from voters.

Siddique will now face Democratic candidate Diana Shoemaker and a write-in candidate in the Nov. 5 general election.

This story was originally published August 20, 2024 at 7:41 PM.