Election 2020: Bennett, Williams Run For Supervisor Of Elections

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — In the 2020 election, Manatee County voters will choose the winner of the Supervisor of Elections race. Democrat Charles Williams, Jr. challenges incumbent Republican Michael S. Bennett for Supervisor of Elections role.

How to vote

As the Nov. 3 election approaches, Manatee County voters can submit their ballots at early voting locations, at drop-off boxes and by mail. They can also vote at their local voting precinct on Election Day.

If voting in person, either early or on Nov. 3, voters must bring a current and valid ID with their name, photo and signature. Find a full list of acceptable IDs here.

Vote-by-mail ballots may be returned using the U.S. Postal Service. The return postage for a vote-by-mail ballot is two Forever stamps or $.70. They must be received by 7 p.m. Election Day. Additionally, they can be dropped off at any early voting location. Find a list of early voting locations here. The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot has passed.

If you choose to vote in person on Nov. 3, you can look up your voting precinct online here. For your vote to count, you must vote in the precinct in which you reside. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Meet the candidates

Bradenton Patch recently sent out questionnaires to learn more about who these candidates are and where they stand on local issues. Below are the submitted responses.

Incumbent Republican Michael S. Bennett, 75, lives in Bradenton with his wife, Dee. He’s served as Supervisor of Elections for the past eight years. Prior to this, he served in the Florida Senate for 10 years, as well as the Florida House of Representatives from 2000 to 2002. He earned a bachelor’s degree and Master of Business Administration degree from Drake University.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Bennett: Honest, accurate voting

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Bennett: Experience, both elections and business. I have increased voting in Manatee County and at the same time held the budget constant over eight years.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Bennett: We increased vote by mail by 300 percent, added five early voting sites and held the budget constant while doing so.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Bennett: See above.

Why should voters trust you?

Bennett: Proven record of excellent elections.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

Bennett: Continue pushing vote by mail and early voting to insure that everyone get to vote.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

Bennett: I don't believe in spending taxpayers’ money just because we can. I have held (the) budget constant and in fact most years have sent money back to the county.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

Bennett: I support All Lives Matter.

What are your thoughts on the campaign to "defund" the police?

Bennett: Horrible idea

What are your thoughts on the state and national response to the coronavirus pandemic? Do you favor such measures as limiting operation of non-essential businesses or restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a nationwide mask mandate?

Bennett: A no win, no one is right problem. Early on, President (Trump was) criticized for shutting down foreign travel. His experts said (it was a) minor issue. His experts said no to masks. Now people criticized him for not listening to experts when he did. (He was) criticized for not shutting down (the) economy, and then criticized for (the) bad economic outcome. (It’s) very difficult to be right on this issue.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

Bennett: No.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Bennett: Be kind to everyone you meet and be sure to uphold your values, "Integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all you do.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Bennett: Listen. Be willing to compromise when faced with opponents’ good ideas.

Learn more about Bennett at his campaign website.

Democrat Charles Williams, Jr. did not submit responses to Patch’s questionnaire. But we’ve compiled some information about him.

According to his VoterFocus.com page, he is founder and pastor of the King of Kings Baptist Church in Palmetto with his wife, Joann. He earned a bachelor’s degree in theology from Emmaus Baptist College.

Williams is a member of the Board of Directors for Oasis Charter School, a member of the Manatee County NAACP and is a charter member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He’s also served as the youth pastor at Mount Raymond Full Gospel Baptist Church and was instrumental in starting the youth football league at the Palmetto Youth Center.

According to the Observer, he’s also assistant pastor at St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church in Bradenton and a teacher aide in Manatee County Schools.

He told the Observer that he’s running for Supervisor of Elections because he “see(s) a shortfall in the area of community outreach to all areas of our county with regard to motivating and encouraging all our citizenry to register and vote. I believe with my communication skills and pastoral background I can achieve the objective of enhancing voter registration and voter turnout.”

Williams also said he opposes Amendment 1 on this year’s ballot. If passed, Amendment 1 would change the Florida Constitution to read that “only a citizen of the United States…shall be an elector.”

“I believe that voting is a basic American right that should always be protected and not left to the current political winds or made unnecessarily difficult. Many of our residents have green cards, work and pay taxes, serve in the military, etc.,” he told the Observer. “Therefore, why should they not be allowed to vote? They should not be treated like ‘second class citizens.’ I am opposed to Amendment 1.”

This article originally appeared on the Bradenton Patch