Manatee voter turnout low

Between apathy and rain showers, 24 percent of Manatee County voters cast ballots in Tuesday’s primary to choose gubernatorial candidates, county commissioners and school board members.

That translates to 48,843 of the 202,436 registered voters braving the rain to go to the polls, said Bob Sweat, Manatee County Supervisor of Elections.

Charles Bullock, a political science professor at the University of Georgia, said voter turnout can be hampered by rainy weather — in particular the Democratic turnout.

“That’s the problem, you have to be particularly interested. If your next door neighbor is running for school board, then you’ll stop and vote,” he said. “If you’re marginally interested, then any little thing can dissuade you.”

Read more in Wednesday's Herald.

McCann: 'I am not bought and paid for'

His opponents have been touting endorsements from prominent groups like the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Florida. But consider Florida House candidate Robert McCann unimpressed.

In response to a post Monday about recent endorsements for his Republican rivals Jeremiah Guccione and Greg Steube, and our conclusion that business favored either one of them over him, McCann sent us the following e-mail:

Your presumption and innuendo is NOT true and unfair. I have no special interest endorsements, no liberal media, and I am not bought and paid for. I do not want these endorsements if I have to change my stance on any issue. In fact, some concerned citizens have been sending emails and Facebook has quotes on these types of endorsements. Print these if you will...

McCann, Guccione and Steube are running for the GOP nomination in House District 67.

McCollum to make return visit to Bradenton

Florida gubernatorial candidate Bill McCollum will make his second appearance in Bradenton in three days when he appears before the Kiwanis Club of Bradenton on Tuesday.

McCollum, currently Florida's attorney general, is scheduled to speak during the group's meeting at 12:15 p.m. at Kiwanis Hall, 1401 21st Ave. W., Bradenton.

For more information, visiting the Kiwanis Club's website.

On Sunday, McCollum, who is in a tough GOP primary with businessman Rick Scott, campaigned outside Popi's Place restaurant a few blocks away.

Business group gives 'dual endorsement' to Guccione, Steube

Florida House candidate Jeremiah Guccione this morning sent out an e-mail touting his endorsement from the Associated Industries of Florida.

"I am very proud to have the support of AIF. As the only candidate running for District 67 who has ever created a job, met a payroll, or run a business, I will work with the Associated Industries of Florida to put Floridians back to work" Guccione said.

Well, a check of the AIF Web site reveals the group also endorsed one of Guccione's rivals for the District 67 seat, fellow Republican Greg Steube. The group labeled its action as a "dual endorsement," presumably meaning that either one is better than the third candidate in Aug. 24 GOP primary, Robert McCann.

Earlier, Steube was endorsed by another prominent business group, the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

"I am honored to have the support and endorsement of the largest business organization in the state. I look forward to working with the Florida Chamber to promote sound policy for small business growth and economic development," Steube said.

Rick Scott & BBQ in Sarasota

Rick Scott, Republican candidate for Florida governor, will be campaigning in Sarasota on Saturday.

A free BBQ event, which is open to the public, is from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Dolphin Aviation, 8191 N. Tamiami Trail.

Scott is slated to speak at 4 p.m.

RSVP at the Facebook event page here.

Senate hopeful Meek campaigns in Bradenton today

U.S. Senate candidate Kendrick Meek this afternoon will tour a Bradenton nursing home and speak with union workers during a stop on his "Real Dem Express" bus tour across the state.

Meek, a U.S. representative from Miami, is seeking the Democratic nomination for a seat in the U.S. Senate. His chief rival is businessman Jeff Greene.

Early voting is currently underway for the Aug. 24 primary. The winner will face presumptive Republican nominee Marco Rubio and Gov. Charlie Crist, who is running as an independent, in the Nov. 2 general election.

Meek is set to arrive at 2:45 p.m. at the Casa Mora Rehabilitation & Extended Care center, 1902 59th St. W., Bradenton, at 2:45 p.m. He will tour the center, as well as meet with local members of the United Food and Commercial Workers union.

Early voting for Aug. 24 primary starts today

Early voting for the Aug. 24 primaries started this morning in Manatee County.

Through Aug. 22, you can cast your votes early at the county supervisor of elections office, 600 301 Blvd. W., Suite #118, across from DeSoto Square mall. The hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday; and noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays.

Registered Democrats and Republicans can vote in their respective primaries, and all registered voters can cast their ballots for the Manatee County School Board and other nonpartisan positions.

A note about the three school board races on the ballot: The candidates have to live in the particular districts they are seeking to represent, but all county residents are eligible to vote in each race.

For more information, call (941) 741-3823 or visit the elections office's website.