Kathleen Peters qualifies for Pinellas Commission race by petition

Republican Rep. Kathleen Peters announced Friday that her campaign for Pinellas County Commission District 6 had gathered enough petition signatures to make the ballot.

“I am truly humbled by the outpouring of support from the voters of District 6,” Peters said. “The feedback our team has received from door knocking and speaking directly to residents is loud and clear—we need to prioritize Pinellas over politics, and common-sense policies will prevail.”

Peters’ campaign said 1,802 District 6 voters signed petitions, putting her 112 signatures past the threshold set by the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections.

District 6 is currently held by John Morroni, who is retiring after four terms on the commission. Peters faces fellow Republicans Barb Haselden and state Rep. Larry Ahern in the race for the open seat.

Through the end of March, Peters led the money race with more than $86,000 raised and more than $62,000 in the bank. Her on hand total bests Ahern’s and Haselden’s combined war chests. They have $26,050 and $28,046, respectively.

Peters is eligible for another term in House District 69, but announced last year that she would run for the commission seat rather than stick around in the Legislature, citing an “assault on home rule” from Tallahassee.

District 6 includes the communities of Indian Shores, Redington Beach, Redington Shores, Madeira Beach, Pinellas Park, Seminole, Treasure Island and St. Pete Beach.