Moates holds fund-raising lead in crowded Manatee school board race

Heading into the final month of the campaign, Robert Moates holds a lead in fund-raising in the race for the District 2 seat on the Manatee County School Board, according to reports filed with the Manatee elections office.

From April 1 to July 6, Moates,a teacher at Lakewood Ranch High School, collected $5,625 contributions, bringing his total take so far to more than $20,800. He has spent more than $14,000 on his campaign

Attorney Dave "Watchdog" Miner reported $20,120 in contributions to his campaign. But of that amount, $14,300 were listed either as loans or in-kind contributions from himself to his campaign. Miner has spent more than $7,000 on his campaign.

Trailing are Palmetto High School teacher William S. Chaltis, who has reported $2,767 in contributions. All but $220 of that has come from Chaltis' own pocket.

Also self-financing his campaign so far is businessman Paul Sharff, who reported loaning his campaign $1,550. He has not received any campaign contributions, according to the elections office.

The primary is Aug. 14. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two vote-getters will face off in the Nov. 6 general election.

District 2 incumbent Harry Kinnan is not running for re-election.