Mitch Perry
House District 69 Democrat Jennifer Webb unveiled a new list of endorsements on Friday in her bid to win a south Pinellas County legislative seat.
Webb was the 2016 Democratic nominee in the district and is giving it another go in 2018. She faces attorney Javier Centonzio in the Democratic primary, while Ray Blacklidge and Jeremy Bailie are running on the GOP side.
Webb had previously announced a slew of endorsements from elected officials in late December. Friday’s announcement was dotted with public support from grassroots activists and small business men and women.
“Jennifer Webb is a passionate, effective, and tireless champion for a strong economy, a clean environment, and a democracy un-beholden to powerful special interests,” said Mark Ferullo, executive director of Progress Florida.
“Jennifer understands the relationship between our environment and our industry and has been a champion of protecting our gulf beaches,” said Gary Renfow, president at Alden Beach Resort.
“As a former candidate for the same office, small business owner and a 27-year member of the Florida Bar, I feel that Jennifer will represent all of the people of District 69 and their issues, not just one segment or geographic area,” said Scott Orsini, who opposed Kathleen Peters in 2014. Peters is stepping down from the seat later this year to run for the Pinellas County Commission.
There’s no question that Webb is the preferred choice among the Florida Democratic Party establishment. House Victory, the campaign arm of the Florida House Democrats, is unofficially backing her candidacy against Centonzio, a St. Petersburg attorney making his first run for public office.
Centonzio raised over $20,000 in January, his first month on the campaign trail, giving him some instant credibility. While lower than Webb’s take of $25,000, the fundraising total indicates that he intends to stick around for awhile. The primary election does not take place until late August.
Blacklidge continues to lead all the candidates in the race in fundraising.
Here’s the full list of locals who endorsed Webb Friday: Helen Bailey, Larry Biddle, Linda Craig, Caroline Duvoe, Mario Farias, Mark Ferrulo, Steve Fields, Winnie Foster, David Hastings, Steven Hoe, George Hunt, Jennifer Joern, Howard Johnston, Lucinda Johnston, Brian Longstreth, Judithanne McLauchlan, Ramsey McLauchlan, David Monroe, Scott Orsini, Lisa Perry, Gary Renfrow, Mary Ann Renfrow, Wanda Grubbs Schwerer, Shane Socash, Cindy Stovall, Scott Turner, Amy Weintraub, Matt Wiseman.
