We strongly urge everyone to vote, either by mail (with a drop-off at the elections office if you are apprehensive about the mail) or by early voting in one of the many locations throughout the county. Make your voice heard! VOTE!

Here are our recommendations for officeholders (many more recommendations will follow for the general election):

Local Offices:

State Senator, District 22 (universal primary): Joe Gruters (the lesser of two evils)

Sarasota County Commission, District 2: Anyone but Hagen Brody (see editorial in August 5th edition)

Sarasota County School Board, District 1: Dawnyelle Singleton

Sarasota County School Board, District 4: Lauren Kurnov

Sarasota County School Board, District 5: Nora Cietek

Sarasota City Commission, At-Large (vote for two): Jen Ahearn-Koch and Dan Lobeck

NOTE: A slate of science-denying conspiracists is running for the county hospital board and could severely compromise our quality local health care if elected. We strongly urge voting for the following incumbents:

Sarasota Memorial Hospital Board Central District Seat 2 (universal primary): Joseph J. DeVirgilio Jr

Sarasota Memorial Hospital Board Northern District Seat 1 (universal primary): Jim Meister

Sarasota Memorial Hospital Board Southern District Seat 1 (universal primary): Darryl W. Henry

Sarasota Memorial Hospital Board Southern District Seat 2 (universal primary): Gregory A. Carter