Bennett, Stehle eyeing Manatee Commission

The seven-member Manatee County Commission might look a little more business-friendly should two local businessmen decide to enter two key races in the 2012 election and win.

State Senate President Pro-tempore Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, says he's seriously considering taking on incumbent County Commissioner Joe McClash for the at-large District 7 seat. McClash, a Republican, who was first elected in 1990, has butted heads with the local business community for many years by supporting large increases in impact fees and redesigning developers' site plans from the dais.

Bennett, who faces term limits next year, says he expects to make a decision in early September. Initially, Bennett announced he would run for Congress, then decided he'd rather stay closer to his southwest Manatee County home.