The qualifying period has ended and, once again, Gulfport Mayor Sam Henderson, Ward II councilwoman Christine Brown and Ward IV councilman Michael Fridovich have competition in the March, 2019 municipal elections. While each councilperson should — in theory — represent their ward first, the entire city will elect each councilperson, as they will the mayor.
As of this afternoon, the Pinellas Clerk and the Gulfport City Clerk Lesley DeMuth have certified the following candidates:
Gulfport Mayor
Sam Henderson, incumbent
Gulfport Councilperson, Ward II
Christine Brown, incumbent
Gulfport Councilperson, Ward IV
Richard Fried
Have a question for the candidates? Click their name to email them. Except for Richard Fried, who didn't provide an email address.
Both Herrod and Fried have run before; Herrod dropped out of her race before election day and Fried lost to Fridovich in 2017. Also of note: Chalfont is one of the owners of Siri's Gourmet Burgers and Pizza, Fried once spoke at a Gulfport City Council meeting wearing an elf's hat and Kemnetz lives in the Pasadena Yacht and Country Club, Gulfport's lone gated community referred to by some as "behind the wall."
It should be an interesting three months.
Belleair, Belleair Beach, Belleair Bluffs, Belleair Shore, Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Kenneth City, Madeira Beach, North Redington Beach, Oldsmar, Redington Beach, Redington Shores, Tarpon Springs and Treasure Island will all hold elections this coming March. Both South Pasadena and St. Pete Beach canceled their scheduled elections due to lack of interest — according to the Pinellas Supervisor of Elections, "the number of qualified candidates did not exceed the number of offices up for election."
The deadline to register to vote for this election — held Mar. 12, 2019 — is Feb. 11. This election will not have early voting at the wish of the cities. You can register to vote here.
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