Peter Schorsch
St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman is getting another boost from a top national Democrat according to a campaign fundraiser invite sent out Monday.
Former United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro, a former mayor himself, will headline a Kriseman fundraiser set for 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Station House, 260 1st Ave. S. in St. Petersburg.
The fundraiser promises “a discussion of the role mayors play in our nation and the importance of the November 7th election.”
The two-hour event carries a suggested contribution of $500 for donors looking to be part of the “Leaders Conversation” or $100 for those looking for the capital-s “Supporters” designation.
Those springing for the $500 package will get to sit in on the roundtable and snag a photo with Kriseman and Castro.
Kriseman is in the midst of a tough re-election battle against former Mayor Rick Baker, who served two terms as the city’s top elected official in the 2000s.
Kriseman edged out Baker by a hair in the six-way primary race to keep his job, and after early polls showed him trailing in the one-on-one matchup, the most recent survey of the election pegs the incumbent with a slight lead – 46.8 percent to 46 percent.
The most recent campaign finance reports, covering Sept. 30 through Oct. 6., show Baker with $77,200 in his campaign account on $550,000 in total fundraising and Kriseman with about $26,500 on hand after also bringing in about $550,000.
Both candidates have also raised a considerable sum through their committees.
Baker’s “Seamless Florida” had raised $907,250 through Sept. 30, when it had about $81,000 on hand. Kriseman’s “Sunrise PAC” had raised brought in $540,450 and hand about $152,000 stashed away through the same date.
St. Pete voters will pick between a second go around with Kriseman or a third with Baker during the Nov. 7 general election. Three city council seats will also be on the ballot.
Kriseman invite is below:
