Janelle Irwin Taylor
With all eyes still on the 2020 election at the federal level while President Donald Trump continues to claim, without evidence, that rampant election fraud robbed him of the race, Pinellas County residents may not know there is a bevy of municipal elections on the ballot in less than four months.
Pinellas County is home to several small municipalities that run municipal elections. Several seats are up for grabs on March 9 in towns and cities ranging from Gulfport and Treasure Island to Oldsmar and Indian Rocks Beach.
The deadline to register to vote in the 2021 municipal elections is Feb. 8. The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is Feb. 27.
Here’s a rundown of local races to follow as the next election cycle kicks off leading up to the March 9 municipal elections.
Belleair:
Offices up for election: Mayor; two City Commission seats
Qualifying: Nov. 25 — Dec. 15
On the ballot: All incumbents can seek reelection as there are no term limits, but no one has filed yet. The incumbents include Mayor Gary Katica, Deputy Mayor Karla Rettstatt, and Commissioner Michael Wilkinson.
Belleair Beach:
Offices up for election: Three City Council seats
Qualifying: Dec. 11 at 8 a.m. through Dec. 18 at noon
Incumbents: Vice Mayor Glenn Gunn and Council members Marv Behm and Jody Shirley
Belleair Bluffs:
Offices up for election: Mayor; two City Commission seats
Qualifying: Nov. 30 at 9 a.m. through Dec. 15 at 4 p.m.
Incumbents: Mayor Chris Arbutine, Vice Mayor Suzy Sofer and Commissioner Jack Nazario
Qualifications: Candidates must be registered Pinellas County voters and have resided within Belleair Bluffs for one year
Belleair Shore:
Offices up for election: Mayor; one City Commission seat
On the ballot: Mayor Robert Schmidt Jr., Vice Mayor Deborah Roseman
Note: City officials anticipate incumbents to be reelected without opposition.
Gulfport:
On the ballot: City Council Ward seats 2 and 4
Incumbents: Christine Brown in Ward 2 and Vice Mayor Michael Fridovich in Ward 4
Qualifying: Dec. 7 at 8:30 a.m. through Dec. 14 at noon.
Annual salary: $10,800 for a two-year term
Requirements: Ten petition cards and $108 filing fee; must be Gulfport resident for at least one year from the date of qualifying
Indian Rocks Beach:
On the ballot: Two City Commission seats
Qualifying: Dec. 7 at noon through Dec. 14 at noon
Incumbents: Vice Mayor-Commissioners Phil Hanna and Diane Flagg
Indian Shores:
On the ballot: Mayor
Qualifying: Dec. 4 at noon through Dec. 11 at noon
Incumbent: Patrick Soranno
Kenneth City:
On the ballot: Mayor; two City Council seats
Incumbents: Mayor Wanda Dudley (can’t seek reelection,) Vice Mayor Robert Howell and City council member Lawrence Hauft
Qualifying: Dec. 11 at 8 a.m. through Dec. 18 at noon
Qualifications: Must be a registered Pinellas County voter and have lived in the city for at least two years before the date of qualifying. Must submit 25 petition cards signed by registered voters within the town.
Madeira Beach:
On the ballot: City Commission Districts 2 and 4
Incumbents: Nancy Hodges in District 2 and John Douthirt in District 4
North Redington Beach:
On the ballot: Mayor; City Commission Seats 1 and 2
Qualifying: Dec. 4 at 8 a.m. through Dec. 18 at 1 p.m.
Who is running: Mayor Bill Queen, Commissioners Richard Bennett and Gary Curtis
Oldsmar:
On the ballot: City Council Seats 1 and 3
Steve Graber: Graber currently serves as the vice-chair of the city’s Ordinance Review Committee and a member of the city’s Board of Adjustment. He’s running for Seat 1.
Pamela Settle: Settle is a small-business owner and a marketing and communications professional with more than 30 years of experience working with nonprofit organizations and governments on issues that impact the health and well-being of various communities throughout the U.S. and here in Pinellas County. She is also running for Seat 1.
Candidate forum: Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Oldsmar Council chamber located at 101 State St. West
Redington Beach:
On the ballot: Mayor; two City Commission seats
Qualifying: Dec. 4 at 9 a.m. through Dec. 18 at 1 p.m.
Incumbents: Mayor Nick Simmons and commissioners Fred Steiermann and Tim Kornijtschuk
Redington Shores:
On the ballot: Mayor; City Commission Districts 2 and 4
Safety Harbor:
On the ballot: City Commission Seats 1, 2 and 3
Qualifying: Dec. 7 at noon through Dec. 14 at noon
Seat 1: Nancy Besore (incumbent,) Heather Norton and Lorraine Duffy Suarez
Seat 2: Cliff Merz (incumbent)
Seat 3: Scott Long
South Pasadena:
No election: Incumbent Commissioner Ben Thomas and candidate Linda Thompson were elected without opposition when qualifying closed Monday.
St. Pete Beach:
No election: Incumbents Doug Izzo in District 2 and Melinda Pletcher in District 4 were elected without opposition when qualifying closed Nov. 13.
Treasure Island:
On the ballot: City Commission Districts 1 and 3
Qualifying: Dec. 9 through Dec. 23
Incumbents: Vice Mayor Deborah Toth in District 1 and Commissioner Saleene Partridge in District 3
Requirements: Signatures from 25 registered voters of the City of Treasure Island on petition cards plus a $50 filing fee. The filing fee will be returned to any candidate who receives at least 30% of the vote.
