Tara Poulton jumps into crowded GOP Primary for Manatee County Commission District 6

Tara Poulton, the District Director for U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, is entering an already crowded Republican Primary for the at-large Manatee County Commission District 6 seat — setting up a competitive race in one of the county’s highest-profile contests this cycle.

Poulton, a Republican, is running on a platform focused on affordability, fiscal restraint and environmental protection. In a campaign announcement, she framed the race around mounting financial pressure on local families.

“Too many families are being squeezed from every direction,” Poulton said. “Inflation has driven up property insurance, groceries, gas, and everyday costs, straining working families and seniors on fixed incomes. With one-third of households living paycheck to paycheck, we have a responsibility to act.”

Poulton’s campaign is focused on “holding the line on government spending” and ensuring county decisions do not add to cost-of-living burdens.

Poulton also opposes the developer-proposed Manatee County cruise terminal, citing concerns about potential impacts on the area’s ecosystem, coastline and fisheries. She expressed support for legislative efforts by Sen. Jim Boyd and Rep. Will Robinson, both Bradenton Republicans, to strengthen environmental safeguards and preserve local waters ahead of an official cruise port proposal.

“Economic opportunity matters, but it must be balanced with protecting the natural resources and neighborhoods that make this community special,” Poulton said. “We can grow, but we must grow responsibly, with infrastructure that keeps pace and safeguards that protect our character and quality of life.”

Poulton has led Buchanan’s district operations since 2023, when she was hired to replace longtime District Director Sally Shely. At the time, Buchanan praised her “communications skills” and “passion for public policy and heart for constituent services.” 

In that role, Poulton oversees district operations across Manatee County and southern Hillsborough County, working with local governments, businesses and residents on federal casework and funding requests. Her campaign said her work has helped recover more than $13 million in federal benefits for constituents in 2025 and secured nearly $3 million in federal appropriations for local projects, including a new veterans park called Valor Commons.

Before joining the congressional office, Poulton served as Vice President of Public Policy and Workforce Partnerships for the Manatee Chamber of Commerce. Her prior experience also includes serving as a division director and county spokesperson for DeSoto County Government and as senior government affairs regional manager for the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

“Manatee County is home to more than 40,000 veterans who have served our nation with honor,” Poulton said. “As the wife of a United States Navy veteran and the daughter and sister of law enforcement officers, I believe we have a duty to stand behind those who served and always support our first responders.”

Poulton has also served as a board member of the Manatee Tiger Bay Club, Manatee Education TV and Manatee Technical College, is a graduate of Leadership Manatee and is a past President of the Leadership Manatee Alumni Association.

Poulton joins a crowded Republican field that includes Tony Barrett, John Calovich, Anthony Drake, Edward Ference, Adam Johnson and Douglas Sullivan. The GOP nominee is set to face former District 2 County Commissioner Reggie Bellamy during the General Election. Bellamy just filed to run for the seat on Feb. 19 and is currently unchallenged in the Democratic Primary.

District 6 is an at-large seat, meaning voters countywide cast ballots in the race. Poulton said her background in public policy, local government and federal constituent services positions her to deliver results as County Commissioner.

“Manatee County deserves leadership that protects taxpayers, safeguards our future, and never forgets who pays the bills,” Poulton said. “That’s the standard I will bring to the County Commission.”