Manatee County Commission candidates take personal swings at District 2 debate
Tensions rose during a debate between Manatee County Commission candidates as challengers veered into personal attacks against Commissioner Amanda Ballard.
The forum, hosted by Manatee Tiger Bay Club, was split into two parts — the first included the three candidates running for District 2, followed by seven of the eight candidates running for District 1. Questions addressed topics like economic growth, development, community engagement, campaign contributions and other local issues.
However, the District 2 candidates drifted away from the questions asked. District 2 candidates include political newcomer Edward Bailey Jr. and former Commissioner Charles Smith Sr., who are both challenging incumbent Amanda Ballard.
Both Smith and Bailey agreed that District 2 needs new representation, while questioning Ballard’s previous votes, qualifications and financial backing.
Ballard criticized about community outreach, previous votes
Smith began criticizing Ballard during his opening remarks, when he called out her previous votes repealing wetlands buffers, extending Mosaic’s mining contract and considering to make SeaPort Manatee its own board separate from the Board of County Commissioners.
“We need change in District 2. We need strong leadership,” Smith said.
Candidates were later asked how they would address the varying needs of District 2, which is often considered the county’s “urban core.”
Bailey emphasized the importance of being part of the community, and claimed many residents in Palmetto don’t know who their commissioner is. He also said he’s heard the issues at the Old Memphis Cemetery have been a long-standing problem, and questioned the timing of it being brought up during an election year.
“If you want to bring communities together, you have to be willing to be a part and listen to those communities,” Bailey said. “You have to be willing to go in and have those town hall meetings, which we have not seen in the last few years here in our district.”
Ballard rebutted by saying she has contacts in neighborhoods throughout District 2, knocks on doors and regularly meets with residents. She said the town halls she hosted early in her tenure were poorly attended, so she changed her approach.
When a question was raised about the state’s Live Local Act and what development should be prioritized around SeaPort Manatee, Ballard called the Live Local Act a “disaster for Manatee County,” while outlining what businesses she would like to see more of around the port.
However, Smith’s response focused on criticizing Ballard “taking money from everybody she can,” and both Smith and Bailey said it’s important for the commission to retain authority over the port.
“I got comments from both of my opponents, neither of whom actually addressed the issue at hand. Instead, they took the time to attack me rather than actually speaking about industrial development at the port or the Live Local Act, which is an interesting choice,” Ballard rebutted. “If they actually have plans and ideas for the county, I’d like to hear them rather than just attacks on myself and my character.”
Candidates take swings at experience, qualifications
The last question of the District 2 forum asked candidates what issue facing Manatee County they believe is not getting enough attention.
“The biggest issue is we do not have a county commission that is listening to the people, and that’s not being addressed,” Bailey said, adding that commissioners are swayed by special interests. He called out Ballard’s votes on topics like the wetlands buffers and impact fees.
“If you really want to know the biggest issue, it is not having a voice on that county commission representing the people, whether that be the people of District 2 or Manatee County as a whole,” Bailey continued.
Ballard said the most pressing District 2 issues are drug and homelessness problems around the district, as well as the mental health crisis. She also responded to Bailey’s criticism.
“I would like to hear what Mr. Bailey would like to do for Manatee County. I have not heard it,” Ballard said. “All I hear is, ‘You’re bad.’ I’ve seen no plans, I’ve seen nothing that actually shows that he has the experience, the demeanor… to do this job and do it well.”
Candidates were allowed a 15-second rebuttal when mentioned directly by another candidate.
“My experience is being a member of the community, not being drawn into the community,” Bailey responded, adding that his full plan is on his campaign website.
His answer referred to Manatee County’s 2022 redistricting process, which happened before Ballard joined the board. After District 2 was redrawn, former Commissioner Reggie Bellamy was defeated by Ballard, who has held the seat since then.
Smith also mentioned the redistricting during one of his rebuttals, when he again questioned Ballard’s experience.
“Commissioner Ballard don’t have any experience. Her house was drawn into the district by (Anthony) Pedicini. She wasn’t living in the district,” Smith said. “So she has four years of experience. She was a staff attorney…shuffling papers to real lawyers,” Smith said.
“How dare you,” Ballard replied. “I tried 50 cases in a courtroom protecting children from abuse and neglect in Manatee County. And I spent my entire career doing that work, saving children in Manatee County.”
Ballard spent eight years as an attorney representing the state with the Florida Department of Children and Families, according to her campaign website.
The District 1 forum had similar questions for the candidates, and mostly remained on topic, providing their stance on the county’s infrastructure needs, response to growth and how they would represent the county’s largest district.
Bailey will face Ballard in August’s primary, and the winner will go against Smith in November’s general election.
