Candidate: Michael P. Gallen

Michael Gallen was elected to the Manatee County Commission, District 2, in 2010. Commissioner Gallen currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners and the Manatee County Redevelopment Agency. He also serves as Chairman of the Palmetto/North Manatee County Enterprise Zone Development Agency. Commissioner Gallen is a native and lifelong resident of Manatee County; being born and raised in Bradenton. He and his wife, Alexandra, have three children – Linda who is 9 years old, Juliette 7, and Thomas 4. Upon graduating from Manatee High School, Commissioner Gallen attended Manatee Community College and then transferred to University of Georgia, where he received a B.A. in Political Science. In 2002, he was awarded a Juris Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University College of Law. After being admitted to the Florida Bar in the Fall of 2002, Commissioner Gallen worked in the Florida Capital with the Florida House of Representatives as a Staff Attorney and Bill Analyst. Prior to being elected to public office Commissioner Gallen worked as an American Government Instructor for over six years at Lakewood Ranch High School. Commissioner Gallen’s legal experience includes work with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Environmental and Land Use Law Center at Nova Southeastern University, the Center for Environmental Rights and Natural Resources in San Jose, Costa Rica, and volunteer work with Gulf Coast Legal Services in Bradenton. Additionally, Commissioner Gallen has represented immigration clients in the Federal Immigration Courts and he continues to provide pro-bono legal services. Commissioner Gallen is a member of the Florida Bar Association, the Manatee County Bar Association, The NAACP, The Knights of Columbus, and Leadership Manatee Alumni. Please support Michael by contacting him at: PO Box 14096 Bradenton, FL 34280 (941) 932-7112 mgallen@tampabay.rr.com