Bradenton, FLVoter Guide 2026 · not a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Bradenton City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

3 contests

5 candidates

Updated Oct 4, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

City Council Ward 2 · Unopposed

City Council Ward 3 · 1 seat

City Council Ward 4 · 1 seat

Three of five council seats are on the Nov. 3 ballot: Ward 2, Ward 3 and Ward 4. Ward 2 has one candidate; Wards 3 and 4 each have two.

3 notes on these statements

Marianne Barnebey is the only candidate for Ward 2. David Levin withdrew his candidacy before the general election. Bradenton Magazine

Kemp Schuessler was appointed to Ward 3 in July 2025 to fill the vacancy left when Josh Cramer became police chief. The seat is on the ballot in November 2026. City of Bradenton

The ballot also carries city charter questions on term limits and the mayor's role. Bradenton Magazine

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Gene BrownMayor; term ends January 20293sourcedPam CoachmanCouncilwoman, Ward 5; term ends January 20293sourcedJayne KocherCouncilwoman, Ward 1; term ends January 20293sourced

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phoneSeat the CouncilPick winners, see the councilWhat council decidesDensity in the Coastal High Hazard Area, Aging infrastructure and Face It, Fix It, Term limits and the mayor's roleKey datesDeadlines and vote centers

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Next date

Voter registration deadline

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Density in the Coastal High Hazard Area

Where it standsIn August 2025 the council let owners in the Coastal High Hazard Area seek higher density and approved a rezoning for the Westminster Point Pleasant campus.

What's on the tableWhether to approve future requests for more density in the Coastal High Hazard Area, which covers about 28% of the city.

  • Ordinance 4035 lets the council consider future land use map amendments that increase density in the Coastal High Hazard Area, provided the owner and council agree to a binding development agreement. City of Bradenton · Aug 13, 2025
  • The Coastal High Hazard Area makes up about 28% of Bradenton. Bradenton Herald
  • With the zoning change, Westminster can increase to 537 units on its 16 acres. Bradenton Herald

Aging infrastructure and Face It, Fix It

Where it standsThe city is carrying out Face It, Fix It, a multi-year program to repair sewer, water, drainage and road systems.

What's on the tableHow to fund and sequence sewer, stormwater, water and road repairs.

  • The city says it has secured more than $160 million in state and federal grants and appropriations for the program. City of Bradenton
  • The program covers sewer and water lines, drainage systems, roads and sidewalks. City of Bradenton

Term limits and the mayor's role

Where it standsVoters will decide two city charter amendments on the Nov. 3 ballot.

What's on the tableWhether the council and mayor face term limits and whether the mayor keeps a tie-breaking vote.

Downtown development and City Hall

Where it standsThe council approved the sale of the City Hall site in 2024, and the city must find a new City Hall location.

What's on the tableWhere to build a new City Hall and how to review downtown development requests such as drive-throughs.

  • In 2024 the council approved the sale of the 4-acre City Hall site for $14.1 million to L&L Development Group. Bradenton Herald
  • The developer offered to scale down planned apartments and allow the city to build a 45,000-square-foot City Hall on Tenth Street West. Bradenton Herald
  • The council voted 4-1 on Dec. 10, 2025 to grant a special-use permit for a drive-through restaurant in the urban center. Bradenton Magazine

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

  1. 1. The council raised allowed density for the Westminster campus in a Coastal High Hazard Area. How should it handle similar requests?

  2. 2. Bradenton is spending on sewer, drainage and road repairs. What should the next council prioritize?

  3. 3. Voters will decide on limiting the mayor and council to three consecutive four-year terms. What is your view?

  4. 4. Should the mayor keep the right to break a council tie?

  5. 5. A developer asked for a special-use permit for a drive-through coffee shop in the urban center. How should the council rule?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Gene Brown, Pam Coachman, Jayne Kocher3 on this ballot

5 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.

Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works →

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