Stand up for Manatee County's democracy. Sign Scott Farrington's petition
Elections supervisor candidate needs more than 2,800 signatures from county voters so he can challenge James Satcher in Aug. 20 primary.
This election cycle I have signed a handful of petitions circulated by candidates, mostly Republicans but also one Democrat, trying to qualify for this year’s ballot without having to pay a costly filing fee. As a general rule, I think it’s healthy for our local democracy to have as many candidates and contested races as possible, even if I have no problem with an incumbent winning re-election.
This year, however, I have one huge problem with the Republican “incumbent” county elections supervisor, James Satcher, whom Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed to finish the term of Mike Bennett after he retired last month.
Satcher’s MAGA, Christian nationalist political views, as expressed incessantly during his more than three years as a county commissioner are bad enough. But what disqualifies a political hack like Satcher from winning a full term as elections supervisor is his total lack of experience with running an election or any other large, complex operation.
'Elections Supervisor James Satcher' shakes faith in local democracy
Why are many Manatee County residents worried about local democracy, after Gov. Ron DeSantis named Manatee County Commissioner James Satcher as the county’s interim elections administrator?
Especially when you compare his to the experience of the other Republican in the race, Bennett’s longtime deputy, Scott Farrington. (Farrington, who had already filed to succeed Bennett, resigned last week after Satcher took office and picked another inexperienced political operative, David Ballard, husband of Commissioner Amanda Ballard, to be his No. 2.)
Farrington lists his qualifications on his campaign website:
“Extensive experience overseeing 50+ elections, including Presidential and Gubernatorial cycles, special, and municipal elections using professional standards in elections administration.
“Strong background in voting technologies and system based on over two decades of experience along with a bachelor's and master's degree in Information Systems Management from USF College of Business.
“Certified Elections Administrator and Master Florida Certified Election Professional, dedicated to running elections in a secure, accurate, and transparent manner.”
Earlier this week, I signed and returned a petition for Farrington to qualify for the ballot, if only because of a sense of duty to Manatee County’s democracy and fear of what an inexperienced, ideologically driven Satcher might do with his newly appointed authority. For not entirely dissimilar reasons, I am also not signing a petition for my district commissioner, Kevin Van Ostenbridge, no matter how much he begs.
Farrington needs more than 2,800 signatures to qualify for the ballot.
On Farrington’s website, you can download and print a copy of his qualifying petition. You’ll have to fill it out and return to Farrington by May 9. (You can also download it by clicking below.)
I don’t know whether Satcher, who raised more than enough money during his campaign for re-election to the county commission to pay for his spot on the ballot, is circulating a petition. Registered Manatee County voters, regardless of party affiliation, can sign petitions for both elections supervisor candidates, although Satcher has plenty of cash in his campaign account to buy his spot on the ballot for the GOP primary on Aug. 20, if he chooses that route. (No one else has filed for the job.)
Actually, I’d prefer Satcher pay the fee to give him more time to learn how to what hopefully will only be a temporary job.
Related story | Farrington resigns, seeks supervisor of elections job (Anna Maria Island Sun)
Other headlines of the week, April 21-27
Undeveloped Manatee County islands for sale for $75 million (Tampa Bay Times)
Manatee County tourism tax increase could be voted on by residents (Spectrum Bay News 9)
Lakewood Ranch attorney launches late bid to unseat Congressman Buchanan
Democrat Trent Miller on Wednesday became a late entry into the race for the U.S. House seat held by Rep. Vern Buchanan.
Rick Wells latest sheriff to endorse Vern Buchanan for re-election (Florida Politics)
Manatee County commissioners again discuss fire district consolidations (Bradenton Times)
What to know in Manatee: Emergency drone program, Breonte Johnson-Davis rally, baby boxes (Herald-Tribune)
Manatee County awarded $5 million for conservation purchase (YourObserver.com)
Transcript from Christian Ziegler sex video details decision not to pursue rape charge (Florida Politics)
Major new roles for local officials change landscape for 2024 Manatee County elections (Herald-Tribune)
Manatee County's fact-free politics
Facts can be stubborn things, especially when they have to do with numbers, but are they enough to force right-wing Manatee County commissioners and candidates to abandon their out-of-step notions about abortion and the effects of illegal immigration in the county and concentrate on issues really affecting county residents?
Alyssa Gay jumps into race for HD 72 (Florida Politics)
Manatee school board member vies for Florida House seat (YourObserver.com)
Seven reasons why the FAA blocked Sarasota airport’s land sale to New College (WUSF)
Another Elwood Park development effort stalls (YourObserver.com)
Manatee School District faces major transportation challenges (YourObserver.com)
Buchanan recognizes local educators, school employees (Bradenton Times)
Marc R. Masferrer, previously a newspaper and digital editor in Bradenton for more than 16 years and a journalist for more than 33 years, has received multiple awards for his writing, including a first place for commentary writing in the Florida Press Club’s 2022 Excellence in Journalism Competition and a second place prize in the 2023 contest for work published in The Bradenton Journal. You can reach him at Marc.R.Masferrer@gmail.com. You can also like The Bradenton Journal on Facebook.
Done.
Filled out and mailed in.