Bradenton Election: Brown, Byrd, Denis Face Off In Mayoral Race

BRADENTON, FL — In the 2020 election, Bradenton voters will choose the winner of the city’s mayoral race. Gene Brown, Harold Byrd and Dimitrie Denis are vying for the 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. Though none of the candidates submitted their responses, we’ve compiled some information about them.

According to his campaign website, Gene Brown is serving his third term on the Bradenton City Council. He’s also vice president and COO of Brown & Sons Funeral Homes and Crematory.

His website highlights his community service, including his work with the DeSoto Boys and Girls Club and his time on the Boys and Girls Club Corporate Board from 1993 to 2018. He’s also served on the Boys and Girls Club of Manatee County Foundation board.

Brown has also coached various youth sports teams, continue to serve on the Manatee High School Radio Crew, and served on the city’s Police Pension Board and its Merit Board, as well as the Manatee County Sheriff’s Advisory Committee.

In a message on his website, he wrote, “Bradenton is growing and with growth comes challenges. I know we can keep taxes low, manage growth effectively and allow Bradenton’s story of prosperity to continue. Our top priorities are to protect our quality of life and public safety. Bradenton has a bright future and I’m asking for our entire community to rally with us to keep that future bright”

Learn more about Brown at his campaign website.

Harold Byrd has served twice as Bradenton’s Ward 5 councilman, first from 1989 to 1995 and then from 2007 to present. A graduate of Manatee County Schools, he earned his bachelor’s degree in business management from Eckerd College and his Juris Doctor from Florida A&M College of Law. He also earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Phoenix.

He’s been involved in numerous community activities, including serving on the board of directors for United Way of Manatee County, Big Brothers & Big Sisters and the Manatee Council on Aging. He’s been honored with various community service awards.

On his website, Brown wrote, “Public service has always been a part of my life. This will continue to be a major focus of my work. With my latest educational attainment, I would like to utilize my many years of government experience to teach public policy and law at the collegiate level.”

As a councilman, he’s also focused on redevelopment. He even earned certification as a redevelopment professional from the Florida Redevelopment Association. He serves as vice chair of the Bradenton Community Redevelopment Agency.

According to his website, Brown is also an advocate for affordable housing. He lobbied for the passage of the William E. Sadowski Affordable Housing Act, which, for more than 20 years, has provided funding for affordable housing.

Learn more about Brown at his campaign website.

Dimitrie Denis earned his master’s in business administration degree in community economic development from Southern New Hampshire University. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in criminology from the University of South Florida.

According to his campaign website, he’s “a firm believer in family, religion and state” and is “a pro-business constitutionalist who believes in fiscal responsibility and working towards a future where all Bradenton residents can thrive.”

He hopes to lead the city through the COVID-19 pandemic, having heard numerous tragic stories on the campaign trail. If elected, he’ll structure an economic recovery plan to help the community rebuild.

Denis said he’ll also focus on recruiting new businesses and investors to the area. Affordable housing, lowering taxes, and addressing traffic and transportation concerns are also important issues for him.

“If elected, Dimitrie will put accountability and transparency at the forefront, ensuring that every resident can voice their concerns on major issues. He has a structured economic recovery plan to identify areas to attract new businesses, reassess current infrastructure, and ensure that the budget remains balanced as our country recovers from this crisis,” according to his website. “Further, Dimitrie has declared that he will not accept any donations from major developers to ensure that affordable housing does not get overlooked in the coming years.”

Learn more about Denis at his campaign website.