Bellamy, Ballard vie for District 2 seat in high stakes Manatee County general election

Manatee County's District 2 has been represented by a Democrat since 1994, but if Amanda Ballard has her way, that could soon change as the Republican vies to represent the county’s most left-leaning district in November.

Ballard is challenging the incumbent Democratic commissioner, and the board's only minority, Reggie Bellamy, for the seat during the Nov. 8 general election. A lot has changed since a redistricting process late last year when county commissioners removed downtown Bradenton from the district’s boundaries and added the Oneco community to replace it.

Commissioners who supported the new district lines said at the time that they maintained the ratio of minority residents and Democratic voters in the district – a difficult feat in a county where most residents are right-leaning.

Others expressed skepticism and are concerned new district boundaries are meant to help a Republican challenger finally win the seat.

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"The redistricting was very unfortunate as it relates to assuring there was minority representation, however, it has presented an opportunity to take lemons and make lemonade," Bellamy said.

"The bitter part is that redistricting diluted District 2, the district is closer to purple than blue or red, and the blend is a tribute to the growth of Manatee County and the line drawing of the majority on the board," he said. "The sweet part of the redistricting was the boundaries were extended east, south, and west, which allows an opportunity to meet more citizens, and work with them and for them."

Ballard makes her case

Ballard has lived in Oneco since 2015. She first moved to the region the year prior with her husband, David, almost immediately after graduating from law school at the University of Carolina.

Ballard told the Herald-Tribune that she believes this election presents a prime opportunity for her to flip the District 2 seat to the Republican party.

She believes it's her seven years of experience as a child welfare attorney at Children's Legal Services, coupled with a conservative agenda aimed at addressing the need for improved infrastructure and affordable housing, that will help her overcome Bellamy's strong connections to the community and propel her into office in November.

"My work in the foster care system is what inspired me to become involved in local politics," Ballard said. “I've seen the struggles with affordable housing, the issues with the opioid crisis, even the lack of foster parents."

"Seeing those things up close, you start to realize these are systemic issues," she said. "So my work as an attorney in that system has been very fulfilling, but at the same time very frustrating because I see bigger problems that need to be addressed. I would like to bring a voice to some of those issues in Manatee County."

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Ballard, who is represented by political consultant Anthony Pedicini and his firm SIMWINS, said she supports efforts to encourage redevelopment of the county's urban core. She would also like to see zoning changes that encourage tiny home communities, and investment in mobility improvements and utility infrastructure to support growth.

“The housing problem has expanded so much that even young attorneys that I’m working with who are just out of school, I’ve had two in the past year, tell me they can’t afford to make Manatee County their home long-term,” Ballard said. “Rents are so high they don’t feel like they will actually be able to save and buy a home of their own."

"I want to see changes made, because if first responders, teachers, even young attorneys can’t afford to live in Manatee County, we’ve got a major problem,” she said.

Reggie Bellamy's community connections

Bellamy was elected to the District 2 seat in 2018 over former commissioner Charles B.  Smith, who he defeated again during the Democratic primary earlier this year.

Born in Bradenton, Bellamy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Bethune Cookman University. He was also honorably discharged from the military in 1993 as a Corporal after four years of service.

Prior to joining the board, Bellamy worked with Manatee County youth in roles as dean at Buffalo Creek Middle School and as the executive director for the Palmetto Youth Center. He also served as the Palmetto High School boys' basketball coach.

Bellamy said redistricting has had its political implications, but the fifth-generation Manatee County resident has embraced the addition of the Oneco community to the district.

"Oneco has a thriving Haitian community," he said. "Their faith, sense of community, and core values have been a great asset to the urban core and District 2. I’ve had the privilege to get to know leaders within the community and make not only great working relationships but lasting friendships."

Bellamy supports efforts to redevelop Manatee County's urban core, which includes downtown Bradenton and Palmetto, as a means to address the need for attainable housing in the area. He believes it is important to preserve and respect the history of the community and to ensure that new housing is affordable to District 2 residents.

"The initial focus of my 2018 campaign was on public safety, traffic concerns, and economic development," Bellamy said. "As a county commissioner, I have worked with law enforcement to keep the community safe, advocated for women’s rights, and addressed traffic concerns in District 2 and the county."

Bellamy has served as chairman of the Manatee County Port Authority since 2021, and during his tenure, the Port has supported more than 37,000 direct and indirect jobs with an economic impact of $5.1 billion, he said.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Elections: Bellamy, Ballard vie for Manatee County District 2 seat