St. Petersburg-based attorney Scott Orsini has announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination in Pinellas County's House District 69 seat, currently held by Republican Kathleen Peters.
In a press release, Orsini says, "I am running because I can make a difference for middle class families. As a small business owner and active member of my community, I will bring a real world perspective to Tallahassee. My life’s work has been solving tough problems and bringing people who disagree together. As the father of young children, I'll fight for our schools, because education is the best path to a middle class life for Floridians. That's a perspective that is missing from Tallahassee, where too often the special interests win, and the middle class loses."
The district encompasses western St. Pete, Gulfport, and South Pasadena, and stretches along the coast from the Redingtons to St. Pete Beach. It was held by Democrat Rick Kriseman from 2006-2012. Kriseman opted not to run for one last two-year term, opting to gear up for his ultimately successful run for St. Pete Mayor.
Peters defeated Democrat Josh Shulman in November of 2012. She lost her bid to become the GOP nominee for Congress earlier this year in the special congressional election to succeed the late Bill Young, losing out to David Jolly.
Since announcing her candidacy for that seat last November, Peters has picked up a Republican challenger in Leo Govoni, the president of Clearwater-based Boston Asset Management.
In addition to being an attorney, Orsini serves as an officer with the Suncoast Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, an organization devoted to beach access and clean water, and serves as Chairman of Creative Clay, Inc., an organization that provides art and life training services to developmentally disabled adults, teens in transition and children in need. In his press release he takes a shot at the GOP as being out of touch with regular Floridians.
"I come from the middle class. My parents worked hard to provide for me, and that's the American dream: if you work hard and play by the rules, you can succeed and give a better life to your children. In Florida, the American dream should shine brightest. But Republicans in Tallahassee are out of touch with our concerns and values. From big education cuts to favors to special interests, their priorities could not be more misguided. We deserve leaders who will put St. Petersburg families first," Orsini added.
