In the race for Pinellas’ State House, District 61 seat May Thach faces a tough opponent in this former St. Pete Beach City Commissioner. Linda Chaney’s reputation primarily focuses on her pet-friendly legislation, which is hard to argue against (though, as this vegetarian will note, Chaney does eat animals).
But while Chaney has advanced protections for kittens and puppies, she’s removed them for human children. It was Chaney who proposed weakening child labor laws, after a right-wing billionaire’s think tank drafted the bill for her.
We don’t need to get into Chaney’s husband’s alleged sales tax evasion.
Thach, who works in the nonprofit sector, is running a truly grassroots campaign. It kicked off at Pinellas’ new Queer Asian Museum to a crowd of family members and the people who are working on her campaign.
Thach isn’t supported by establishment political consultants, just people who have a passion for Thach’s progressive ideals.
The choice between an unproven-but-spirited peace corps alum and a child labor enabler is easy enough.—Valerie Smith
Florida State House
State House, District 57 (Pinellas): Wendy Hoy
State House, District 58 (Pinellas): Bryan Beckman
State House, District 59 (Pinellas): Susan Rochelle Leff
State House, District 60 (Pinellas): Lindsay Polega-Quigley
Pinellas County Commission
Pinellas County Commission, District 2 (at large): Tim Hughes
Pinellas County Commission, District 6: David Glenn Jr.
Pinellas County School Board
Pinellas County School Board, District 3 (at large): Curtis Campogni
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This article appears in Oct. 22 – 28, 2026.
