Candidate qualifying closed at noon on Friday, establishing the battle lines for elections in August and in November throughout the region.

A number of incumbents won election unopposed, including state Reps. Will Robinson, R-Bradenton, James Buchanan, R-Venice, and Michael Grant, R-Port Charlotte. James Cramer was the only one to qualify for a Bradenton City Council seat in Ward 3. Pete Emrich secured a North Port City Commission post with no opposition. Daniel Murphy won re-election as Anna Maria mayor unopposed, as did Commissioners Doris Sebring and Mark Short. Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Tilsworth also secured another term. Harold Smith automatically won re-election on the Palmetto City Commission, and the same goes for Bradenton Beach City Commissioner Marilyn Maro.

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, will face Republican Martin Hyde in an August Republican primary in U.S. House District 16, and the winner faces Democrat Jan Schneider in November. Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, faces Democrat Andrea Doria Kale and independent Theodore “Pink Tie” Murray in the general election.

Both state Senators in the area face primary opponents. Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, faces a rematch with Republican John Hauman, who has promoted civility in politics. Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, faces a Seminole County political activist with a history of disruptive tantrums In his local party. With no other candidates running, both the District 20 and 22 race will be decided in Aug. 23 primaries open to all voters. State Rep. Tommy Gregory, R-Sarasota, faces Democrat Roberts Dameus and Rep. Fiona McFarland, R-Sarasota, faces Democrat Derek Reich, both November matchups.

In Manatee County, County Commissioner Reggie Bellamy faces a rematch with former Commissioner Charles Smith in a Democratic primary, with the winner facing Republican Amanda Ballard in November. County Commissioner Misty Servia faces Mike Rahn in a Republican primary closed by write-in candidates. Similarly, County Commissioner Carol Whitmore faces James Bearden and Carol Ann Felts in a closed Republican primary. For School Board, incumbent Chad Chaote faces Sean Conley in a nonpartisan August primary, while incumbent James Golden faces Richard William Tatem and Chantal Wilford in a race that could go to a November runoff.

In Sarasota County, County Commissioner Christian Zigeler opted against seeking re-election, so both county commission races are open. In District 2, Democrats Fredd Atkins, Hagen Brody and Mike Cosentino qualified, as did Republicans Lourdes Ramirez and Mark Smith. In District 4, Republicans Mark Hawkins and Joe Neunder qualified, and the primary winner faces Democrat Daniel Kuether in November. For School Board, incumbent Bridget Ziegler will face Dawnyelle Singleton in a high-profile August race. For two open board seats, Lauren Kurnov and Robin Marinelli will run for the District 4 seat and Nora Cietek and Timothy Enos will battle for the District 5 job.

For Sarasota City Commission, candidates for two at-large seats include incumbent Jennifer Ahearn-Koch and candidates Dan Lobeck, Sheldon Rich, Terrill Salem, Carol Shoffstall and Debbie Trice. For a North Port City Commission District 5 post, Victor Dobrin, David Pankiw and Philip Stokes all qualified. Venice won’t close qualification until August.

In Bradenton, incumbent Marianne Barnebey faces David Levin in Ward 2, while Kurt Landefeld, Lisa Gonzalez Moore and Bill Sanders face off in Ward 4. In Palmetto, Sunshine Matthews and Kurt Mattingly compete for a Ward 2 Commission seat and incumbent Brian Williams faces Lynn VanDaalwyk Daniel for a Ward 3 post. Ralph Cole and David Galuszka will battle for a Ward 4 job on the Bradenton Beach Commission. In Holmes Beach, incumbent Jayne Christenson will vie with Daniel Diggins and Gregory Kershner in a City Commission race where the top two vote-getters win seats.