Nov 3, 2026 was a difficult night for Democrats in Manatee County and across Florida.
We didn’t get the results we worked for in most of our races. But voters also sent an encouraging message nationally:
Democrats took back the House (+15 Seats & counting) and Senate (+7 Seats!) and flipped key states in a crushing blue tsunami.
Here at home, please join me in congratulating Dr. Sharon Jefferson, who defeated incumbent Cindy Spray by five points in the District 2 School Board race. Dr. Jefferson will work to protect our shared values in our schools.
On behalf of the Manatee County Democratic Party and our candidates, thank you for your financial support, volunteer hours, and, most importantly, your votes. Your commitment has been deeply moving. Having you in this work with us makes every hour worth it.
Although local and statewide results fell short of our hopes, there are reasons to keep building:
Across Florida, the Democratic Party reports important gains, including flipped seats and a broken Republican supermajority in the State Legislature. Those results, alongside the national wins, are a reminder that Florida is not a lost cause.
I woke up energized and ready to keep working. I hope you did, too. We’ve learned important lessons about what works, where we need to improve, and what it will take to win future elections. Over the next two months, we’ll meet with state and local campaign experts and community groups to build a plan to recruit strong candidates, energize voters, and reach more people—including voters who aren’t registered with either major party.
Victory takes all of us, and I’m excited to get started on our 2027 Voting Rights Protection campaign with our community partners. Join us in helping protect our neighbors’ access to the ballot.
Thank you for standing with us. We have work to do, and we’ll do it together.
With gratitude and on behalf of the entire MCDP Leadership Team,
Christine Kennedy Meier
Chair, Manatee County Democratic Party
Introducing Next Wave Manatee: a group created by and for Manatee County voters under 35. We’re done with the same old politics of previous generations. It’s time to come together—talk, organize, and push for the issues that matter to our generation. Meet candidates, learn about local, state, and national policy, and help make Manatee a better place to live, work, and play.
On January 13, 2026, the MCDEC steering committee approved the creation of a Young Voter Engagement Committee, to be headed by Ocean Fitts, and Next Wave Manatee was born.
"It is important that our younger voters have their own space to explore the issues facing Manatee County, meet candidates and find other like-minded voters." says Christine Kennedy Meier, MCDP Chair. "When I met Ocean, I just knew we'd found the right person to launch this new initiative"
Ocean Fitts, Committee Chair, is assembling a leadership team and planning the first Next Wave Manatee event.
Click the link below to get on the list for early access or to join the leadership team.
Locally raised donations stay here in our community. Our important work securing democracy at the local level takes resources. The Manatee Democratic Party relies on donations from neighbors like you to help fight voter suppression & spread the word about issues.
Turn your anger into action. As the 2026 election approaches, we will have opportunities for you to roll-up your sleeves and help take our county, state & country back.
Do you have a special interest or want to get together with other Democrats that live nearby? The MCDP has 12 different groups for you to explore.