Janelle Irwin Taylor
After months of campaigning, St. Petersburg City Council candidates will be gathering both publicly and privately to watch the results roll in Tuesday night. The top two vote-getters in three districts will advance to the general election on Nov. 5.
When the polls close at 7 p.m., some candidates will celebrate the continuation of their campaigns for the next two and a half months while others will thank their supporters for a campaign hard-fought.
Win or lose, election night parties are a chance for candidates and their supporters and staff to unwind from the day-to-day grind of door knocking, phone banking and sign-waving to bask in their efforts.
Three of the eight City Council districts will be on Tuesday’s ballot including District 3 representing northeast St. Petersburg and Districts 5 and 7 representing parts of South St. Pete.
Before the parties start, voters can cast a ballot only in the district in which they reside and must cast a ballot at their designated precinct. Voters can find their precinct location at the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections website.
This year’s rundown of election night parties is interesting. A majority of candidates are opting to celebrate privately with friends and family. For candidates expecting to make the general election, it’s a way to save cash to power through the next leg of campaigning.
Here’s a rundown of who will be out and about and who will be laying low.
— District 3
Ed Montanari (incumbent)
Harvey’s Fourth Street Grill, 3121 4th St. North, 6-8 p.m. (hors d’oeuvres and cash bar).
Orlando Acosta
Celebrating privately with friends and family
Zach Collins
Celebrating privately with friends and family
— District 5
Deborah Figgs-Sanders
Portofino’s Italian Ristorante, 5035 34th St. South, 6-9 p.m.
Beth Connor
Celebrating at home with friends and family
Trenia Cox
St. Petersburg County Club, 2000 Country Club Way South (Lakewood Estates), 7-10 p.m.
Anne Hirsch
Akwaaba Hall (co-event with D7 candidate Eritha “Akile” Cainion), 1245 18th Ave. South, 7:30-9 p.m. (Includes live music and light fare.)
— District 7
Lisa Wheeler-Bowman (incumbent)
Celebrating privately with friends and family
Eritha “Akile” Cainion
Akwaaba Hall, 1245 18th Ave. South, 7:30-9 p.m. (Includes live music and light fare.)
