In the August primary for the Sarasota City Commission’s two at-large seats, voters selected three candidates – incumbent Jen Ahearn-Koch and political novices Flo Entler and John Harshman – to advance to the Nov. 3 general election.
They chose well.
In the primary, the Editorial Board recommended Ahearn-Koch and Entler as the top two candidates while citing Harshman as a strong third option.
Our view remains unchanged for the Nov. 3 general election.
Close choice between Entler, Harshman
But we should also make this clear: while Ahearn-Koch is an obvious No. 1 choice, Entler and Harshman are close enough that voters can feel good about choosing either for the second at-large seat.
Ahearn-Koch, who is seeking a third term on the five-member commission, has made an impact as a hard-working
advocate for Sarasota’s diverse neighborhoods and she has effectively pushed for the city to listen to residents when making policies on development and other issues.
“We always make much better decisions when we involve the community in our decision-making,” Ahearn-Koch previously told the Herald-Tribune Editorial Board.
Ahearn-Koch said two of her major priorities will be addressing the city’s budget challenges and strengthening its stormwater infrastructure, which came under heavy strain when hurricanes hit Sarasota between 2022 and 2024.
Entler is a longtime Sarasota neighborhood activist, and we favored her over Harshman in our primary endorsement because of her extensive on-the-ground community work.
Entler has said the city must do a better job of seeking citizen input on development growth and quality-of-life issues.
“I don’t think our voice is being heard,” Entler previously told the Editorial Board.
Harshman spent decades in local business as the founder of a Sarasota commercial real estate firm.
Harshman has criticized the city commission for making numerous missteps in recent years.
He specifically cited the commission's decision to back a $7 million-plus purchase of land on First Street for workforce housing without fully vetting potential obstacles.
Harshman previously told the Editorial Board that city commissioners must “get back to focusing on the nuts and bolts, and doing what government is supposed to do: keeping the city safe and prosperous for all of us.”
Harshman is a knowledgeable candidate who’s not afraid to think independently – qualities that would make him a promising city commissioner.
And that’s why we can offer Sarasota voters some reassuring words:
On Nov. 3, they should feel confident re-electing Ahearn-Koch to another four-year term – and comfortable choosing either Entler or Harshman to join her on the city commission.
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: 3 people. 2 Sarasota commission seats. Who should you pick? | Opinion
