Janelle Irwin Taylor
Former Oldsmar Mayor Doug Bevis is dropping more hints — some pretty obvious ones — that he plans to run for Pinellas County Commission.
Bevis, a Republican, posted “ramping up to run … #TeamBevis” on his Facebook page Sunday. That same day he posted a resume or sorts including sitting on boards of directors for the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, the Tourism Development Council and Jolley Trolley as well as his term as President of the Mayors’ Council of Pinellas County.
“Oops and Mayor of Oldsmar for the last 6 yers. Oh and 30 year radio personality on radio in Tampa with the last 10 on US103.5. Yes it is Bevis on Radio. You may not know you know me,” Bevis added.
Tuesday, Bevis attended, and announced on Facebook he was attending, a Pinellas County Commission meeting. Candidates planning to run somehow manage to become frequenters at meetings in the weeks before officially announcing.
The hints aren’t exactly new.
“I’m vetting the idea of running for Pinellas County Commission,” Bevis previously told Tampa Bay Newspapers the day he left office in Oldsmar. In that interview, Bevis reportedly noted noting he has already spoken with Dave Eggers and Commissioner Janet Long about the prospect.
“I’ve been talking to people, getting feedback and taking the pulse of the area. I think I have a good relationship with the other 23 mayors in Pinellas County. But it’s a heavy lift, no question about it. So, we’ll see,” Bevis continued.
It’s not clear which seat Bevis would seek. Seats 1, 3, 5 and 7 are up for election this year. Bevis lives in Eggers’ single member district 4. Districts 1 and 3 are at-large districts. Commissioners Long and Charlie Justice represent those districts, respectively. Both are seeking reelection, which would make a challenge difficult.
However, both Long and Justice are Democrats. Bevis is a Republican.
Florida Politics reached out to Bevis who said he would call Tuesday. As of Thursday, he had yet called.
