Pinellas fundraising event for David Jolly shows how time heals all wounds

Kathleen Peters and David Jolly

At first glance, the invitation to the June 17 fundraiser for David Jolly‘s U.S. Senate campaign doesn’t look much different than so many previous ones.

However, upon closer examination of who exactly is on the host committee, the invitation is noteworthy to those who follow Pinellas County politics.

Jack Latvala. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri and his wife, Lauralee Westine. Rep. Chris Latvala. Former Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard. And so many other north Pinellas Republican names who were not exactly thrilled when Jolly first announced in 2015 that he would seek to replace the late Bill Young in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Now they are all committed supporters.

Even state Rep. Kathleen Peters, who lost to Jolly in a special primary election for Florida’s 13th Congressional District, is helping to raise money for Jolly. Several of the names on this invitation — Ken Burke, Doreen Caudell, Tom Nash, etc. — are people who endorsed Peters over Jolly in that race.

Now, it’s one big, happy Pinellas Republican family.

“We appreciate the kind of public servant he (Jolly) is and what he’s done for Pinellas County,” said one member of the host committee.

The fundraiser is scheduled for Friday, June 17 at the Water’s Edge in Clearwater.