Janelle Irwin Taylor
Deborah Figgs-Sanders is taking her message to the airwaves. Her campaign started running a 30-second spot on Spectrum channels Thursday.
The ad, which is also posted on social media, shows a smiling Figgs-Sanders descending the steps of City Hall with a constituent on a bright, sunny day — emblematic of the popular “Sunshine City” talking point among candidates and elected officials.
“The city of St. Petersburg is growing and evolving into a community that acknowledges diversity and environmentally friendly projects,” Figgs-Sanders says in the video.
She goes on to declare her candidacy for St. Petersburg City Council District 5 and ask for voters to support her at the polls on or before Nov. 5, which is election day. Mail ballots have already gone to voters who have requested them.
“Together we can make sure that the sun will continue to shine on St. Pete,” Figgs-Sanders continues as the screen flashes to images of people who have endorsed her.
The images include Mayor Rick Kriseman, St. Pete City Council members Brandi Gabbard, Lisa Wheeler-Bowman and Amy Foster, Rep. Jennifer Webb, Pinellas County Commissioner Pat Gerard, Pinellas County School Board member Rene Flowers, Pinellas County Schools Police Chief Luke Williams and a trove of community leaders.
The add will air at various times on Bay News 9, Lifetime and BET.
The campaign has two additional ads that will run at a later date. The three adds will run through the general election, according to Figgs-Sanders’ campaign.
It’s not clear yet how much the campaign spent to produce the videos or buy air time. Campaign finance reports for the most recent reporting period are due Friday and, depending on when the campaign sprang for the expense, might be available on those reports.
Figgs-Sanders is running against Trenia Cox for the south St. Pete district. Cox finished first in the August primary that was only open to voters in the district. The November election is open to registered voters citywide.
Theirs is the most competitive race on the ballot of the four districts up for election. Two incumbents will likely face easy reelection — Ed Montanari and Wheeler-Bowman.
In District 1, which is an open race to replace Charlie Gerdes, Robert Blackmon faces John Hornbeck who didn’t start aggressively campaigning or raising money until recent days.
