Tara Poulton jumps to fundraising lead within weeks of filing for Manatee County, District 6

Republican Tara Poulton is staking an early claim in the at-large Manatee County Commission District 6 race, nearly doubling the combined fundraising of her Republican Primary opponents in her first weeks on the trail. 

Poulton raised nearly $20,000 within 35 days since entering the race on Feb. 24, all of which came from outside donors, nearly doubling the combined totals of Republican opponents John Calovich, Tony Barrett and Edward Ference. Calovich reported bringing in just over $12,000, including a $10,000 loan to his campaign. Barrett reported raising $4,000. Ference reported collecting just over $4,200.

Democrat Reggie Bellamy, a former County Commissioner who represented District 2, has also filed to run for the seat. He has raised $2,200 and remains uncontested in the Democratic Primary.

Poulton’s campaign highlighted that she received more than 50 individual contributions, saying the support reflects early momentum for Poulton’s bid for office.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the support we’ve seen in such a short amount of time,” Poulton said. “This kind of early support sends a clear message that people across Manatee County are ready for leadership that puts taxpayers first and takes the affordability challenge seriously. I’m honored by that confidence, and we’re just getting started.” 

Poulton enters the race with a background spanning local government and economic development. She previously worked for the Southwest Florida Water Management District and DeSoto County Government before serving as Vice President of Public Policy and Workforce Partnerships for the Manatee Chamber of Commerce.

She currently serves as District Chief of Staff for U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, overseeing operations across Manatee County and southern Hillsborough County. In that role, she has helped “recover more than $13 million in federal benefits owed to constituents in 2025 alone,” per her campaign, and secured nearly $3 million in federal appropriations for local priorities such as a new veterans resource center called Valor Commons, “bringing federal dollars home so local taxpayers are not left carrying the full burden.” 

Poulton is running on a platform centered on affordability, taxpayer protections and maintaining the county’s quality of life.

Poulton enters the next quarter with the most cash on hand out of Republican candidates. She reports just over $19,000 in cash on hand while Calovich reports just over $17,300 in cash on hand. Ference reports just under $6,000 in cash on hand, and Barrett reports about $6,500 in cash on hand.

“Manatee County deserves leadership that understands the challenges families are facing and is committed to doing something about it,” Poulton said. “That’s the kind of leadership I want to bring to the County Commission.”