Bradenton City Council to Address Ward 3 Vacancy During Tuesday Workshop

Staff Report

BRADENTON — Josh Cramer, the incumbent for Bradenton City Council Ward 3, has officially vacated his seat to take on the role of Chief of the Bradenton Police Department. During the upcoming Tuesday work session, council members will discuss the vacancy, which will be filled by a majority vote. Below is a summary of the applicants who have expressed interest in the position.

Key Information

• Location: Bradenton, Florida
• Current vacancy: Bradenton City Council Ward 3
• Reason for vacancy: Josh Cramer’s appointment as Chief of Police
• Date for discussion: Upcoming Tuesday work session

Thomas Baldwin
Baldwin serves as COO for Prosperity PEO, specializing in payroll, employee benefits, and workers’ compensation. He also holds the title of Managing Agent and Senior Vice President at Employers First Insurance.

Marsha Forrest
Formerly the owner/operator of Central Market in Manatee County from 2002 to 2020, Forrest has owned Central Cafe in Bradenton since 2017. She was the board President of the Humane Society of Manatee County from 2016 to 2018 and contributed to the Manatee County Economic Development Corporation board from 2014 to 2016.

Mike Kennedy
Kennedy operates Kennedy Solutions, an IT services and consulting firm. He previously served as the executive director of the Bradenton Downtown Development Authority from 2006 to 2010 and as Director of Florida Operations for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1999 to 2004.

Jim “Cork” Miller
Owner of Cork’s Cigar Bar, a well-known pub on Old Main Street, Miller has experience as a county commissioner in Georgia and a background in construction. He has also contributed to various advisory boards and downtown Bradenton initiatives.

Teri Nattress
With experience in property management, wellness, and interior design, Nattress has been the chairwoman for the Tamiami Trail District Community Redevelopment Agency since 2023 and has been a member of the Village of the Arts board since 2022.

Kemp Schuessler
An independent insurance agent with a prior career on Wall Street, Schuessler brings three decades of experience in the financial services industry.