With the 2026 election season heating up, Gulfport needs to understand who they’re voting for. Ward I candidates are Jennifer Daunch and Joe Guenther. Ward III sees a race between Jennifer Webb and Keri Nelson.
The Gabber Newspaper asked the candidates questions about their campaigns. Here is what they had to say.
What is your platform?
Ward I:
Jennifer Daunch: My platform is straightforward. Everyone in this town deserves to be heard and treated with respect. My priorities come straight from my neighbors. The council is on a good path. I am not here to change course just to put my stamp on things.
Joe Guenther: My platform is pretty straightforward. First, protect the city’s finances so we can keep funding the essentials—police, fire, roads, parks, and stormwater—without shifting costs onto residents.
Ward III:
Keri Nelson: I see our city as a place for all generations and I am committed to a Gulfport for a lifetime agenda that focuses on community. I believe local government should solve local problems and I will focus on the issues that influence our day-to-day lives. I believe that local government’s duty is to protect the residents, maintain infrastructure, and prepare us for the future. Gulfport is more than just a place to live; it is our home, and the city must provide services that enrich our quality of life.
Jennifer Webb: I’ve built my career bringing people together across differences to tackle our community’s toughest challenges. Whether leading Community Partnerships at USF, representing you in Tallahassee, or driving projects for the Tampa Bay Partnership, Florida Blue, and the Carter Center through my firm — I know how to listen, lead, and deliver results on the issues that matter most.
This post first appeared at The Gulfport Gabber, which is part of the Tampa Bay Journalism Project (TBJP), a nascent Creative Loafing Tampa Bay effort supported by grants and a coalition of donors who make specific contributions via the Alternative Newsweekly Foundation. If you are a non-paywalled Bay area publication interested in TBJP, please email rroa@ctampa.com. Support the Gabber by making a donation.
What are your top priorities if elected, and why?
Ward I:
Guenther: Improve storm resilience by fixing drainage problems, upgrading aging infrastructure, and planning ahead instead of reacting after every storm. That includes investing in living shorelines to help reduce flooding, protect our waterways, and strengthen our natural defenses.
These priorities matter because stable finances keep the city running, smart infrastructure investments protect homes and neighborhoods, and practical planning helps Gulfport stay strong and livable for years to come.
Daunch: It is important to me to make sure residents actually understand what the city is doing, why decisions are being made, and how those decisions affect them in their daily lives, including how policies are enforced and how city actions show up for people in real ways. Local government should be visible and approachable.
Gulfport should remain a place where families thrive, artists can create, local businesses can succeed, and visitors feel welcome!
Ward III:
Webb:
- Protect our homes and keep property taxes down. Homeowners shouldn’t solely shoulder costly infrastructure projects — we must partner with neighboring cities and the county on stormwater drainage, leveraging agreements for additional state and federal funding.
- Champion a connected commercial corridor. With downtown businesses coming back, it’s time to cast our efforts toward untapped commercial/mixed-use districts by linking Downtown with the Garden District, 49th Street Corridor, and Midtown.
- Preserve our quirky character through final phase of recovery. We will look somewhat different as FEMA regulations dictate that some must raise their homes, but this need not mean sterile, cookie cutter homes.
Nelson: I will advocate for resources needed to provide our customary services like police, fire and sanitation and work to ensure our community spaces like the Recreation Center, Senior Center, and our parks are maintained. Proactive maintenance of our roadways, water and sewer lines is critical, and I will make certain there are funds budgeted for infrastructure improvements. As a coastal community we must be prepared for the next storm and focus on stormwater management to minimize local flooding to protect our homes. Seeking state and federal grants will be a priority to help fund these projects.
By focusing on local issues and prioritizing local needs, together we can strengthen community and ensure Gulfport remains a home for all generations.
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This article appears in Mar. 05 – 11, 2026.