Manatee County Democrats News Updates

Kurt Landefeld, the only registered Democrat running in the Bradenton City Council Ward 4 race, chats with constituents during his August 6 meet and greet at 3 Keys Brewing and Eatery, 2505 Manatee Ave. East, Bradenton. For more information on the campaign, contact kurtolandefeld@gmail.com.

The Manatee County Democratic Black Caucus (MCDBC) is having great success registering voters at area venues in our county. Recent registration events have been held  at The Tree and Looking Good men's clothing store.

The MCDBC invites you to join them every Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and/or 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for voter registration, or Friday/Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can also volunteer for phone calling. Contact the MCDBC second vice-chair Florence Shelton-Clark at msdbcoutreach@gmail.com.

"We've had some terrific results with our Voter Registration events," Shelton-Clark said. "We have been registering Returning Citizens, educating lots of people and distributing pertinent voting literature. "

The Florida Democratic Party is asking residents to check their voter registration status and party affiliation in response to reports that some voters had their party designation switched from Democrat to Republican.

Florida Dems said there is evidence that Republican-affiliated canvassers targeted elderly and non-English-speaking Democrats in public housing complexes in Cuban- and Haitian-American areas of Miami-Dade County. No reports of party switching have surfaced in Manatee County. 

 Manatee Democrats conduct voter registration and Vote By Mail enrollment at Democratic Headquarters, 435 Cortez Road, the Orange Blossom Shopping Center, Bradenton, (941) 301-4336. Registration efforts are scheduled in selected neighborhoods, as well as at community events.   

Contact the Supervisor of Elections office, (941) 741-3820; info@votemanatee.gov; www.votemanatee.com/ to check on your registration status. If you need help checking your registration or know of an incident of voter suppression, call the state Voter Protection Hotline at (833) 868-3352.  

By Donna Hartman – The Democratic Black Caucus of Florida (DBCF) endorsed Nikki Fried, Florida Agricultural Commissioner, for Florida governor at its 39th Annual State Conference May 22. 

DBCF’s endorsement of Fried could help her capture a majority of the 1.5 million Black voters represented by the DBCF in the upcoming Democratic gubernatorial primary. Fried, U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist and state Sen. Annette Taddeo are running for the Democratic nomination.    

“This endorsement means everything to me, my team, and our supporters fighting to beat (incumbent Republican governor) Ron DeSantis,” Fried said.    

During her participation at the DBCF's conference, Commissioner Fried convinced the DBCF executive committee that she knows how important the Black vote is to get her elected. She got 67 percent of the committee’s vote, beating Crist and Taddeo to win the endorsement.   

“Black voters are the backbone of our party and too many candidates think they can phone it in and call it a day,” Fried said. “But that is not how this works. From day one of my administration, I have broadened the power and influence of Black farmers, business, owners and advocates. And that is exactly what I’m going to do as the next governor of Florida.”    

DBCF President Trevor Mallory said the DBCF and its 27 local chapters “have been diligently working to let the state know that the Black vote is very important, deciding what candidates may win or lose in November 2022 and 2024. And we will not be taken for granted.”   

 “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now,” said Mallory, citing the theme of the 2022 DBCF Conference. “We are going to do the grass roots work, partner with other organizations, churches, community leaders to register, educate and get voters to the polls to elect a Democratic governor and more Democrats throughout the state in November."    

"This is just the beginning of a concerted effort by DBCF and our partners and supporters to stop the attacks by the DeSantis Administration and improve the lives of communities," Mallory said.    

Manatee County Democratic Black Caucus (MCDBC) members attending the conference included Michelle Grimsley, president, Glenn Pearson, first vice-president, Florence Shelton-Clark, second vice-president and the Rev. Joreatha Capers, member.   

In addition, MCDBC was recognized as the local chapter with the greatest number of new members.

Registering new voters is not enough to ensure that they actually vote. Recently registered voters need contact from like-minded voters to provide encouragement and comfort to build confidence and pride in the voting process.   

The Follow-up Call Team is an initiative Indivisible Manatee developed to provide support to the voters who register during neighborhood canvassing efforts. A volunteer will call the voter after their registration becomes official.   The newly registered voter will be congratulated and asked if they got their Voter ID Card. Closer to the elections, calls will be made to ensure each voter received a mail ballot, answer questions they may have and let them know which candidates and measures Democrats support.  

Indivisible provides guidance and training. You will not be given more names than you can handle and calls will be to Democrats. For more information, contact IndivisibleManatee@gmail.com.

Don't miss the radio interview with Ed Sabol, president of the Longboat Key Democratic Club and Paul Hylbert, a member of the Republican Club of Longboat Key.

Ed and Paul answer pressing questions about the Miracle on the Key, the groundbreaking project happening right here that fosters civil political discourse in these divided times. 

The show aired Tuesday, April 5, on Florida Matters, WUSF's weekly current affairs show (89.7FM) and you can hear the recording on the WUSF website. Click here.