Manatee Commission candidate Tony Barrett arrested again in relation to domestic violence case

Manatee County Commission candidate Tony Barrett was arrested for a second time on Tuesday in relation to a domestic violence case.

The arrest came two days after Barrett posted a Facebook statement about the initial arrest, saying the public discussion surrounding his “personal situation” had become “increasingly painful.” He had also vowed to continue his campaign for office.

Barrett, whose full name is listed in arrest records as Phillip Anthony Barrett, was booked June 30 into the Manatee County jail on two counts of violating pretrial release conditions for domestic violence, according to Manatee County Sheriff’s Office booking records. He was listed as in custody with no bond amount as of Tuesday evening.

The Sheriff’s Office confirmed the alleged violation stemmed from Barrett returning to a residence where he was barred from being under the terms of his pretrial release.

Barrett was first arrested June 18 on a misdemeanor domestic battery charge involving his ex-girlfriend. A probable cause affidavit in that case said Barrett and the woman had both been at a nonprofit event hosted by Barrett before returning to their shared home, where deputies said a verbal altercation turned physical.

According to the report, Barrett pulled the woman’s hair and hit her head against the bedroom floor. Deputies noted an injury to the right side of the woman’s head that appeared red and was starting to swell. Barrett had a cut inside his upper lip and a minor injury to his hand, the report said. Barrett was released the day after the June 18 arrest, according to booking records.

Barrett is an East Manatee Fire Rescue District Commissioner. In his candidate materials, he describes himself as a 34-year Manatee County resident, U.S. Army veteran and former Manatee County EMS worker who retired from the Sarasota County Fire Department as a firefighter/paramedic. He also spent five years assigned as a tactical medic with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team.

The new arrest came after Barrett posted a lengthy statement to Facebook on Sunday addressing the public response to his earlier arrest.

“As this campaign moves forward, I have found myself reflecting less on politics and more on humanity,” he wrote. “The public discussion surrounding my personal situation has become increasingly painful, not only for me, but because it has reminded me how quickly we can lose sight of the fact that there are real people behind every headline, every social media post, and every campaign sign.”

Barrett is running for the countywide District 6 seat on the Manatee County Commission, which is being vacated by Commissioner Jason Bearden. The Republican Primary also includes John Calovich, Edward Ference and Tara Poulton. Democrat and former County Commissioner Reggie Bellamy is also running.

Barrett is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.