Peter Schorsch
Belleair Bluffs Mayor Chris Arbutine Sr. is endorsingd Chris Scherer for Pinellas County Commission, District 1.
In addition to his service as Mayor, Arbutine is the President and CEO of Belleair Coins, Inc., his family’s business since 1972. He pointed to his experience as a small-business owner and operator in his endorsement for Scherer.
“As a fellow business owner and employer here in Pinellas County, I know that Chris Scherer has what it takes to support our local economy, make responsible decisions on behalf of businesses and residents, and keep our waterways clean,” Arbutine said.
“Our families deserve a leader who will stop excessive spending and property tax hikes while taking action to make Pinellas affordable again. Scherer can do that, and I am excited to endorse his campaign.”
It’s worth noting that the current Board of County Commissioners did not raise property tax rates in its most recent budget agreement and, the two prior fiscal years, actually rolled rates back.
Scherer, a Republican, is running to replace Democratic incumbent Janet Long, who is not seeking re-election. Scherer faces Democrat Cookie Kennedy, the current Mayor of Indian Rocks Beach.
Scherer is outraising Kennedy by about 2-to-1, according to the most recent finance reports. He brought in $27,535 to his campaign and affiliated political committee, Friends of Chris Scherer, in the third quarter, which includes fundraising and spending activity from July through September. Overall, Scherer has raised about $131,000, compared to Kennedy’s less than $63,000.
“It is an honor to receive the endorsement of Mayor Chris Arbutine,” Scherer said Monday of the nod. “He is a local businessman with a deep understanding of what makes our coastal communities prosper, as well as their integral role in the entire Pinellas economy. I am thankful for his service and look forward to continuing our work together.”
Long’s departure from her position sets up an open race for a countywide seat Republicans have long eyed for a flip.
Republicans recently flipped the political makeup of the Pinellas County Commission in the 2022 Midterms and are looking to grow that advantage with a Scherer victory next year.
They’re also eyeing Charlie Justice’s seat, with a bid by Republican Vincent Nowicki to unseat the longtime Democratic Commissioner.
Scherer has received several notable GOP nods, including from Rep. Bernie Jacques, Clearwater interim Mayor Brian Aungst Sr., former Sen. Jeff Brandes, former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker, former St. Petersburg City Council member Robert Blackmon and Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.
One comment
Delane Duncan Davis
November 2, 2023 at 12:06 am
I support Chris Scherer and I want to volunteer for his campaign to help him assure his seat as County Commissioner.
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