Janelle Irwin Taylor
Rep. Kim Berfield is endorsing government watchdog Vince Nowicki in his bid for Pinellas County Commission.
Berfield is the third Republican Representative to offer her support, joining Reps. Linda Chaney and Berny Jacques.
“Vince Nowicki will bring his business experience to the County Commission. He will push for term limits which are needed and he will keep our taxes low. I am proud to support him for the Pinellas County Commission,” Berfield said.
Nowicki, a Republican, is running for the District 3 seat currently held by Democrat Charlie Justice, who is seeking re-election.
“Rep. Berfield is a trusted conservative in Clearwater and in Tallahassee. Her support goes a long way as we look toward consolidating Republican support and gearing up for the General Election,” Nowicki said of Berfield’s support.
In addition to the Representatives, Nowicki also has backing from some conservative beach leaders. Redington Shores Mayor Lisa Hendrickson and St. Pete Beach Mayor Adrian Petrila have both offered their support.
Previous endorsements also include Redington Beach Mayor David Will; Belleair Beach Mayor Dave Gattis; Madeira Beach Mayor Jim Rostek; Treasure Island City Commissioner John Doctor; Gulfport City Council member Christine Brown; Gulfport City Council member Ian O’Hara; Redington Beach City Commissioner Rich Cariello; and former Madeira Beach Mayor John Hendricks.
Nowicki briefly ran for St. Pete Mayor in 2021, but withdrew from the race. The conservative activist is perhaps best known for his efforts to hold local elected officials accountable. His personal investigation into former St. Pete City Council member Lisa Wheeler-Bowman led to her resignation in September. Nowicki hired a private investigator, who uncovered Wheeler-Bowman was residing outside her district.
He also filed an unsuccessful ethics complaint against Mayor Ken Welch over his appointment of James Corbett as City Development Administrator.
Nowicki said he has also filed a complaint with the IRS against Allendale United Methodist Church, a congregation led by progressive activist Andy Oliver, arguing the church is involved in political campaigns and political fundraising, which would make it ineligible for tax exemption as a religious institution.
Nowicki has raised more than $42,000 for his bid for Pinellas County Commission, a little less than twice what Justice has raised. Though it is worth noting that Justice entered the race later than Nowicki and has therefore not been raising funds for as long.
Nowicki has also secured endorsements from former St. Pete Mayor Rick Baker; former St. Pete City Council member Robert Blackmon; School Board member Stephanie Meyer; School Board member Dawn Peters; Largo City Commissioner Curtis Holmes; Seminole Mayor Leslie Waters; and former St. Pete Council member and School Board Member Bill Dudley.
