Six questions for Manatee County Commission candidate Glenn Pearson
He is the first Democrat to file for the formerly held by former commissioner James Satcher.
Glenn Pearson, vice chairman of the Manatee Democratic Party and first vice president of the Manatee County Black Democratic caucus, is running for the District 1 seat on the Manatee County Commission, which was previously held by Republican James Satcher, before Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed him to head the supervisor of elections office.
A former television reporter and anchor, Pearson, of Ellenton, is currently a talent acquisition specialist with Certified Personnel Resources in Sarasota, according to his LinkedIn profile.
District 1 which is comprised of parts of Palmetto, Ellenton, Parrish and Myakka City.
Satcher had previously filed for re-election to the commission but this week he official switched to the race for a full term as elections supervisor.
Other candidates in race are Republicans Carol Felts of Myakka City, Keith Green of Palmetto (who originally filed to run for the at-large District 7 seat) and Darin George of Ellenton, who filed on Thursday; and Jen Hamey of Parrish, who is running with no party affiliation.
Presumably, whomever DeSantis appoints to succeed Satcher will also run as a Republican.
The qualifying period for county offices is June 10-14.
The party primary is Aug. 20, and the general election is Nov. 5
The Bradenton Journal reached out to Pearson to ask him six questions about his background and his campaign. Previously, Felts, Green and Hamey have responded to questions. We’ll also be reaching out to George.
Pearson’s responses have been edited for clarity and style.
The Bradenton Journal: Presuming you considered political and personal factors before deciding on whether to enter the race, what’s the one thing that most convinced you to run for the District 1 seat on the Manatee County Commission?
Pearson: I am regularly engaged in voter outreach and education throughout our community. I too often hear from voters and those who could vote, but don’t, that they’re not happy with any of the candidates. They say they don’t see candidates who they can relate to. I’ve been hard at work trying to recruit candidates to run for various offices throughout the county. Then I was approached to run for the District 1 seat. After careful consideration, I concluded that I would be a hypocrite if I did not step up after asking others to. I’ve been a District 1 resident for nine years, having lived in Parrish and now Ellenton. I know our community’s charm and its problems. I can provide a voice for those who currently do not have one on the county commission.
The Bradenton Journal: Which issues will you emphasize as a candidate and as a commissioner if you are elected?
Pearson: I will emphasize the issues that we all grapple with everyday here in District 1.
With growth being inescapable, we see a steady rise in traffic. While the traffic is a nuisance, it also poses a danger to residents. A husband and wife attempting to cross Highway 301 at Erie Road in their golf cart were recently broadsided by a motorist. While they both sustained injuries, thankfully they’ll recover. But it could have been far worse. We need to ensure that our infrastructure meets the needs of our community. I will make sure that we consider the impact that new developments will have on us now and in the future, always keeping the wellbeing of District 1 residents first and foremost in any decisions made.
I will always stress the need for and champion affordable housing. I will be a responsible steward in advocating for intelligent growth. Protecting our wetlands and environment to ensure that they are not sacrificed for short term gains will be a priority.
The Bradenton Journal: What do you think was the county commission’s biggest mistake since now-former District 1 commissioner, James Satcher, was elected in 2020?
Pearson: Rather than one big mistake, it’s been the overall tone of the county commission as a whole. There’s a pervasive sickening arrogance that manifests itself when members ignore their constituents and experts. Case in point, the reduction of wetland buffers. Only one commissioner objected to the reduction. There need to be more voices of reason on that board.
The Bradenton Journal: What would be your priorities when addressing issues related to growth and development in Manatee County?
Pearson: I already touched on some of my priorities related to growth when answering what issues I will emphasize as a candidate and as a commissioner. Expanding on that, accessibility needs to always be prioritized in development. Wide walkways to allow for golf carts in appropriate areas and sidewalks to allow pedestrians to walk safely without worrying about being hit by vehicles. Then as we attract more small businesses to the area, the quality of life for our residents gets better and better.
The Bradenton Journal: What's your sense of how eager residents in District 1 are for a change in how they are represented on the county commission?
Pearson: I’ve been busy gathering petitions, attending town halls and reaching out to voters to convey my core mission. And from the residents I have spoken with, the desire for change is palpable. I'm running to help restore some semblance of sanity to the Manatee Board of County Commissioners. It's a shame how they concentrate on national issues such as illegal immigration and abortion, issues that divide Manatee County residents and really have nothing to do with the problems that actually affect our residents.
The Bradenton Journal: Manatee County is nearly surrounded by and adjacent to water – the Gulf of Mexico, the Manatee River, etc. What should the county be doing to mitigate the effects of climate change, such as rising sea levels and more intense hurricanes and tropical storms?
Pearson: There are several strategies that can be implemented to mitigate the effects of climate change on Manatee County:
Coastal Protection: Implementing measures such as building sea walls, restoring coastal wetlands and constructing artificial reefs can help protect the coastline from erosion and storm surges.
Improved Infrastructure: Upgrading infrastructure such as drainage systems, roads, and buildings to be more resilient to extreme weather events can help minimize damage from hurricanes and tropical storms.
Land-use Planning: Implementing smart land-use planning policies can help reduce vulnerability to climate change impacts. This can include avoiding development in high-risk areas and preserving natural buffers like mangroves and dunes.
Public Education: Increasing awareness and education about climate change and its effects can help our community better prepare for and respond to the challenges it presents.
It's important for us to work together to address the impacts of climate change and take proactive steps to build resilience against future threats.
Other candidates in District 1
District 3 candidates (West Bradenton/Anna Maria Island/Terra Ceia)
Incumbent Kevin Van Ostenbridge has not responded to questions from The Bradenton Journal.
District 5 candidates (Lakewood Ranch/East Manatee)
Incumbent Manatee County Commissioner Ray Turner has not responded to questions from The Bradenton Journal.