Former Holmes Beach commissioner David Zaccagnino files for Manatee County District 3 Commission seat

MANATEE -- A third candidate has filed for the District 3 seat on the Manatee County Commission.

David Zaccagnino, a former Holmes Beach city commissioner for nine years, filed Friday for the seat now held by Commissioner John Chappie.

Chappie announced this month he will not to run for re-election.

Zaccagnino, 45, who is running without a party, has been a financial adviser for the past 16 years. Zaccagnino, who was previously an environmental chemist, is also a member of the county's Citizens Financial Structure Adviso

ry Board, which is tasked with addressing the county's funding issues.

"I have a common sense approach to good government," he said. "I think I am fiscally responsible. I can bring a nonpartisan balance to the Manatee Board of Commissioners."

Over the last couple weeks, Zaccagnino said everyone he has run into has asked him to run for the seat. Before filing, he said he changed his party affiliation from Democrat to no party.

"I think our county is a little too polarized," he said. "I have noticed it going too partisan. I like to have the best solutions to the problems regardless."

Zaccagnino is the second candidate running for the seat without a party affiliation. Matthew Bower, who is also a financial adviser and a member of the Manatee County Planning Commission, is the other candidate. Republican Steve Jonsson, who is a businessman, is the sole Republican candidate to have filed.

District 3 represents West Bradenton and Anna Maria Island.

Manatee County is facing some "really big issues right now," Zaccagnino said.

"We need to have smart growth," he said. "We need to maintain quality of life. We have concerns of major congestion and more to come. I think I bring fiscal responsibility, transparency and accountability."

In 2014, Zaccagnino ran for Holmes Beach mayor, losing to the current Mayor Bob Johnson.

"I asked for more transparency and accountability in the budget process and they didn't want that," Zaccagnino said, adding that as an elected official not everybody is going to agree with you.

With at-large Commissioner Carol Whitmore moving off Anna Maria Island, Zaccagnino said he thinks it is important to have a commissioner who lives on the island, which is a huge revenue generator.

"I know each community uniquely," he said. "I know all the political players out here. I think it is very important to have a voice for the island and the new island of West Bradenton. There are a lot of issues out here and someone who doesn't live out here won't fully understand the tourism problems, environmental problems and traffic problems. I'm the best qualified to represent District 3 by far."

Public office is a tough job, Zaccagnino said.

"It has to be a labor of love," he said. "You really have to be doing it for your neighbors and children."

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

This story was originally published March 25, 2016 at 11:11 PM with the headline "Former Holmes Beach commissioner David Zaccagnino files for Manatee County District 3 Commission seat ."