Manatee County’s Commission Steps Out of Bounds: The Real Story Behind the Amendment 4 Vote

Amendment 4: A Statewide Choice, Not a Local Issue

On short notice, Commissioner Jason Bearden introduced a resolution opposing Amendment 4, which will appear on Florida’s statewide ballot this November. This resolution was added as an emergency item the afternoon before the meeting, giving the public and little time to prepare. Amendment 4 aims to limit government interference with abortion, ensuring decisions about reproductive health are made between patients and their doctors—not politicians. Despite this being a state-level issue, the Manatee County Board of Commissioners voted 6-0 in favor of the resolution against the FL Amendment #4. My opponent, George Kruse, was among those who voted in favor.

Jason Bearden Manatee County Commission District 6 at-large up for reelection in 2026-VOTE him out

During the meeting, I spoke against this resolution because it is outside the jurisdiction of the County Commission. We should be focused on local concerns, such as fixing infrastructure, improving public safety, and protecting our water quality—not wading into contentious statewide issues. Bringing this resolution forward represents an overreach of authority, undermining the principle that voters—not local officials—should decide on Amendment 4.

This resolution exposes an inconsistency in my opponent’s approach. Throughout the campaign, Kruse has avoided discussing national or state issues, stating that they don’t belong in local government. Yet his vote in this matter shows he is willing to engage when it serves a personal agenda. If he is not transparent now, how can the people of Manatee County trust him to represent their interests in the future?

George Kruse County Commissioner District 7At-large- You have a opportunity to VOTE him out on November 5

I addressed the commission directly during the meeting, and I want to share my full statement here:

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Good morning, Commissioners, and thank you for the opportunity to speak.

As County Commissioners, your role is to legislate policies that ensure the health, safety, well-being, and quality of life for all residents of Manatee County. However, bringing Amendment 4 into today’s agenda crosses that boundary. It is not within your jurisdiction to legislate or discuss deeply personal freedoms like healthcare choices. But since it has been added to today’s discussion, I feel it is important to speak—especially because it has impacted my own family.

I believe in trusting women and their doctors to make the best decisions for their health, free from political interference. These decisions are personal and complex, and they belong in medical exam rooms—not government offices. Voting yes on Amendment 4 means restoring these personal freedoms. Voting no keeps dangerous policies in place that interfere with healthcare and criminalize doctors for doing their jobs.

To make this personal, my sister-in-law experienced a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy while visiting Florida. If the current extreme restrictions had been in place, I fear she might not have received the emergency care she needed—and she could have died. This is not theoretical; it is real. As someone who didn’t realize I was pregnant until 16 weeks due to irregular cycles, I know firsthand that the six-week cutoff is an unreasonable limit for most women. Now, my 26-year-old daughter, born here in Florida, has fewer healthcare rights than I or my mother ever did. That should alarm all of us.

Ultimately, this is not about politics—it’s about trust and freedom. I trust women, and I trust doctors to make the best decisions for their patients and families. I do not believe government has a place in these personal matters, and as a commissioner, I will always advocate for keeping government within its appropriate role.

Thank you.

My Key Takeaways:

• - The County Commission has no business interfering in state-level decisions.

• - This vote reflects an overreach of authority.

• - Amendment 4 belongs to the people of Florida, not local politicians.

• - I trust women and doctors to make healthcare decisions without government interference.

• - Kruse’s vote shows he doesn’t trust voters and raises concerns about his transparency.

This election is about ensuring that our local government stays focused on solving the issues that matter most to Manatee County residents. I believe leadership should be grounded in accountability, transparency, and respect for the democratic process. This November, vote for leaders who focus on community needs—and leave state matters to the people of Florida, where they belong.

Here’s the edited video of my comments during the meeting: