Sheri Clinard to run for Manatee County Commission District 1 seat

MANATEE -- A fifth Republican candidate has filed to run for the District 1 seat on the Manatee County Commission.

Sheri Clinard, a Palmetto resident, filed with the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections office Tuesday afternoon.

Clinard, former co-owner of the Lucky Dog restaurant in downtown Bradenton, could not immediately be reached for comment late Tuesday afternoon.

The District 1 commissioner represents Palmetto, Parrish, Duette, Terra Ceia, Rubonia, Palm View, Gillette and parts of Myakka City.

The four other candidates: Palmetto City Commissioner Jonathan Davis; Corie Holmes, former Manatee County sheriff's deputy and a former Democrat; Nathaniel Leonard, a Parrish resident and counter-terrorism expert; and former state Rep. Ron Reagan.

No Democrat has filed.

Larry Bustle, a Republican who serves as District 1 commissioner, withdrew his name from the 2016 election in September.

Three other Manatee County Commission seats up for re-election:

District 3, which represents West Bradenton and Anna Maria Island, held by John Chappie, who has filed for re-election.

District 5, which represents Lakewood Ranch, Myakka City and other parts of East Manatee, held by Vanessa Baugh, who has filed for re-election. Challengers Tom Batchelor and Kathleen Grant have also filed.

District 7, an at-large seat held by Betsy Benac, who has announced plans to run for re-election but has yet to file. Challenger Candace Luther has filed for the seat.

Claire Aronson, Manatee County reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7024. Follow her on Twitter@Claire_Aronson.

This story was originally published December 1, 2015 at 6:31 PM with the headline "Sheri Clinard to run for Manatee County Commission District 1 seat ."