Former Commissioner Sworn In As Manatee Supervisor Of Elections

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — Former District 1 Commissioner James Satcher was sworn in Tuesday as the new Manatee County Supervisor of Elections.

Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Satcher to the role on Friday, according to a news release from the state.

He replaces Michael Bennett, who announced his resignation from the position, effective March 1, in January. Bennett’s term ends in November.

The governor’s move to appoint Satcher goes against Bennett’s wishes. In his resignation letter, Bennett suggested that his chief of staff, Scott Farrington, who has more than 20 years of election experience, finish out his term, the Bradenton Herald said.

“I cannot believe there is a better, more accomplished or more knowledgeable person than Scott to fill this position,” Bennett wrote in the letter, calling Farrington “the right candidate for the position to ensure that the upcoming elections proceed with as few conflicts as possible.”

Satcher, who lives in Ellenton, has been a minister for more than two decades and also operates a nonprofit. The Republican was first elected to the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners in 2020.

During his time on the board, he served as the chair of the Manatee Port Authority and the Tourist Development Council. He is a member of the Coastal and Heartland National Estuary Partnership Policy Commission and the Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition Advisory Committee.