Kelly Hayes
St. Petersburg City Council District 4 candidate Lisset Hanewicz has collected more than $25,000 in her campaign’s opening month, she announced Thursday.
The former prosecutor for the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney’s Office raised $19,871 from contributors, as well as $5,500 in self-funding since she launched her campaign on Feb. 1.
Hanewicz’s campaign provided the latest finance update. More information on expenditures and donors will be available when she releases her required campaign finance disclosure, which is due March 10.
“Over the years, I’ve been honored to serve our community as a prosecutor, a neighborhood president, and a volunteer for numerous organizations that benefit our city,” Hanewicz said. “When I told the people I’ve met along the way that I wanted to continue my service as the Council member for District 4 — they were immediately on board. It’s something I’m so thankful for and it speaks to the broad support for my candidacy.”
Hanewicz is running for the seat currently held by mayoral candidate Darden Rice, who is term limited. Hanewicz is so far running against Clifford Hobbs III, who filed to run for the district in August, as well as Douglas O’Dowd, who filed to run in mid-February.
Two candidates, Lauren Hubbard and Wendy Wesley, have withdrawn from the District 4 race.
Hanewicz is the Crescent Lake Neighborhood Association President, and has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney with the Department of Justice for the Middle District of Florida. Hanewicz started her own law practice in 2014. Hanewicz previously supported Rice in her reelection bid.
“I want voters to know that I’m committed to the future of our city,” Hanewicz said in a statement about her own contribution. “I wouldn’t ask any of my supporters to contribute to my campaign unless I was willing to make my own investment. I want to be sure every voter knows where I stand.”
Hanewicz, a daughter of Cuban exiles, would be the first Hispanic member of the St. Pete City Council if elected.
The district encompasses areas around Crescent Lake and Historic Old Northeast up to the Meadowlawn and Fossil Park neighborhoods.
