1944. During the peak of the Socialist Party's prominence in the early 20th century, Manatee County would elect the only socialist to the state legislature, Andrew Jackson Pettigrew to the Florida House of Representatives in 1906 for one term defeating John A. Graham (who was a Democrat) in the general election. As a state legislator he would make several proposals that were inline with what the Party reflected at the national level such as making US Senators popularly elected and creating a national income tax. Overall as a state legislator he would make little progress in getting legislation proposed by him passed. Prior to the 1906 race he would run in 1904 for the same position unsuccessfully losing to A.T. Cornwell (also a Democrat) who had served as Bradenton's first mayor and in a variety of positions at the county level. Pettigrew would later go on to run for Governor in 1908 and Secretary of Agriculture in 1912 being unsuccessful in both races. In 1970, Governor Claude R. Kirk Jr. fired Manatee County’s superintendent along with the entire school board and appointed himself in their place in an attempt to end desegregation busing. This situation would last from April 6 to 13 before Kirk left his position as the superintendant. Law enforcement and justice Sheriff's Office Unincorporated Manatee County is served by the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. Justice Circuit Court Manatee County is a part of the Twelfth Circuit Court of Florida. Court of Appeals Manatee County is part of the Second District of Appeals. Recent presidential election results Government officials United States Senate United States House of Representatives Florida State Senate Florida House of Representatives Manatee County Board of County Commissioners The Board of Commissioners include the following: Public education Other offices Voter registration Information as of March 31, 2022. See also National Register of Historic Places listings in Manatee County, Florida Notes References External links Manatee Chamber of Commerce Florida counties 1855 establishments in Florida Florida placenames of Native American origin Sarasota metropolitan area Counties in the Tampa Bay area