For Immediate Release
May 1, 2024
Contact: Shawn Bartelt, President
president@lwvsrq.org
LWVSRQ TO HOST FIRST EVER HOSPITAL BOARD CANDIDATE FORUM
PRIOR TO THE AUGUST PRIMARY ELECTION
On April 8th, over 100 concerned citizens attended the League’s Sarasota Memorial Hospital Board Election Panel “Understanding the Issues” at the Selby Library. Many attendees expressed their desire to hear directly from the hospital board candidates prior to the primary election on August 20th. In response, the League of Women Voters of Sarasota County will hold their first ever Primary Election Candidate Forum at the Jacaranda Library on July 11th from 5:30-7pm. The forum will be followed by a 30-minute Candidate Meet & Greet for those attending in person. Registration is required and will be available on the League’s website after the June 14th candidate qualifying deadline.
Prior to the August Election, the League will also host a Sarasota School Board Candidate forum on July 17th. For more information go to lwvsrq.org.
The League of Women Voters candidate forums are regulated by federal and state election laws and regulations, IRS rules and governed further by the League’s own nonpartisan policy. The League of Women Voters nonpartisan policy states that “the League shall not support or oppose any political party or any candidate.”
Nine Republican candidates are running for the four open seats on the nine-member board. Three of those seats are closed primaries. One seat has only Republicans running, making it a Universal Primary and final election for that seat, unless a Democrat or NPA enters the race.
Historically the hospital board race has been low profile. In 2022, only 26% of voters participated in the hospital board elections. But following Covid, there has been more controversy over how the hospital performed during the pandemic and how it should operate moving forward.
The nine-member public hospital board sets policy for the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, which includes all Sarasota Memorial Hospital campuses, related healthcare facilities and clinics, and First Physicians Group. Board responsibilities include financial oversight of a $1.7 billion budget, quality and management oversight, setting strategic direction and more.
In keeping with the educational mission of the League, voter guides specific to the Hospital Board and School Board elections can be found on their website.