The Lakewood Ranch Republican Club (LWRRC) was founded in 2008 by Donna Hayes, former Manatee County Commissioner, and Dr. Craig Trigueiro, MD. At that time, Bradenton was the center of Manatee County. Lakewood Ranch was located in an area of cattle ranches, turf farms, and tomato fields on the east side of Interstate 75. What was supposed to be the huge Cypress Banks development had morphed into Lakewood Ranch, a highly successful multi-generational master planned community.