More Pinellas County officials endorse Eric Lynn’s congressional candidacy

Although the conventional wisdom has it that Charlie Crist is the front-runner to capture the Democratic nomination for Congress in the CD 13 next year, Eric Lynn continues to garner endorsements from local Pinellas County Democrats.

Among those backing Lynn’s candidacy in a statement issued out by his campaign on Wednesday is St. Petersburg City Council Chair Charlie Gerdes.

Longtime Pinellas County School Board member Linda Lerner is also announcing her support for Lynn, as are three Indian Rocks Beach Commissioners — Terry Hamilton-Wollin, Jim Labadie and Joanne “Cookie” Kennedy.

Gulfport Councilman Michael Fridovich and South Pasadena Commissioner Gail Neidinger round out the list announced by the Lynn campaign.

“With their combined 46 years in public service, Charlie, Linda, Terry, Jim, Michael, and Gail have worked and continue to work tirelessly for the district,” said Lynn. “I hope to demonstrate their same commitment as a proud Congressman from Pinellas County. We need more leaders like them in Congress to fight on behalf of this district on crucial issues like protecting our veterans, environment and access to women’s health. I deeply appreciate their support and I look forward to working alongside them to ensure our district’s voice is heard in Washington, D.C.”

The 37-year-old Lynn is a native of St. Petersburg who worked for six years in the Obama administration in the Defense Department as a senior adviser. He announced his candidacy for the Pinellas County congressional seat earlier this year when GOP incumbent David Jolly was still expected to run for re-election.

However, the redistricting of the district (not yet affirmed by the Florida Supreme Court) will make it much more Democratic-leaning, and that’s prompted Jolly to jettison a run for re-election next year (he’s now running for Senate), and prompted former Governor Crist to announce that he will run for the Democratic nomination next year in CD 13.

Crist has earned the endorsements from Democrats like Kathy Castor, Alex Sink and Ken Welch.