Melton Little is adding another piece of Manatee County political muscle to his House District 71 bid.

The Republican leading the GOP money race in HD 71 announced the endorsement of longtime Bradenton City Councilman Gene Gallo, a hometown fixture whose decades of public service make him one of the most recognizable names in local Republican politics.

“Melton Little is the kind of leader who shows up, listens, and gets things done. He understands our community’s needs and has the work ethic to deliver real results in Tallahassee. I’m proud to support him for the Florida House,” Gallo said.

Gallo spent 31½ years as a Bradenton firefighter, including 11 years as Fire Chief from 1980 to 1991. He went on to serve 29 years on the Bradenton City Council, including several stints as Vice Mayor. His backing carries weight in a district where local roots and long-standing civic credentials matter, and it adds to a growing list of Manatee leaders lining up behind Little.

Little is competing in an open-seat GOP Primary to succeed term-limited Republican Rep. Will Robinson, with Jordan Varnadore also in the race. Little’s campaign has consolidated significant local establishment support, including a recent endorsement from Americans for Prosperity Action and an earlier nod from Manatee conservative leader Jack May.

“I’m honored to have Gene Gallo’s support. His years of service to Bradenton speak for themselves, and his confidence in our campaign means a great deal. I look forward to building on his commitment to the community and delivering real results for the people of our district,” Little said.

A Manatee County native, Little grew up in Bayshore Gardens, graduated from Bayshore High School, and built his law practice in Palmetto nearly four decades ago. He has logged extensive volunteer hours in youth sports and local nonprofits, earning top honors from the Manatee County Boys & Girls Club and the Manatee County Bar Association.

HD 71 covers west Manatee County, including Bradenton and Palmetto. The seat tilts strongly Republican — Donald Trump carried the district with more than 57% support in November — making the Aug. 18 GOP Primary the decisive contest. More information on Little’s campaign is available at MeltonforHouse.com.

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Ed. note: This story was drafted with assistance from AI. Editorial judgment, sourcing, and final review were performed by Peter Schorsch and the Florida Politics editorial team.

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