Janelle Irwin Taylor
Political newcomer Karen Love has defeated Gulfport’s longtime Mayor Sam Henderson, according to unofficial results from the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections office following Tuesday’s municipal races.
Henderson has served as the small town’s Mayor since 2013. His term will now end, with Love earning more than 55% of the vote to Henderson’s 39%. A third candidate, John Liccione, collected fewer than 6% of votes cast.
While this is Love’s first foray into elected politics, she’s no stranger to Gulfport’s civic process, speaking frequently at City Council meetings.
Love ran on a platform based on transparency, open communication and problem solving, and emphasized the need for robust restoration efforts following back-to-back hurricanes in the Fall that brought significant devastation to the city, particularly its downtown waterfront.
The mayoral race was a low-budget one, with love raising just over $7,300 compared to Henderson’s $3,800. Liccione raised just over $6,000, according to the Gulfport Gabber.
Love also ran as a change candidate, with some residents feeling frustrated with vitriol that had recently crept into city business, including a back and forth between Henderson and City Council member April Thanos last April.
Also running on a change platform was Marlene Shaw, who also cruised to victory Tuesday night with nearly 60% of the vote. She defeated incumbent Christine Brown, who collected less than 29% of the vote, and Byron Chalfont, who received less than 12% of the vote.
Ruth’s List Florida, which endorsed Shaw, celebrated her win, along with others throughout the state who secured victories. Shaw’s win, the group noted, will shift Gulfport City Council to an all-women board, and unseats a conservative member with a Democrat.
“The voters in Gulfport and Boynton Beach last night proved what we know–when strong and serious women run with the necessary support, they win,” Ruth’s List Florida CEO Christina Diamond said. “Rebuilding power across the state starts in our local communities, and I have no doubt that our elected women like Marlene Shaw and Rebecca Shelton will lead their cities with heart and grit.”
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Photo credit: Gulfport Gabber Facebook.
One comment
Larry "Bud" Melman
March 12, 2025 at 3:19 am
Good morning Karen,
Most newly elected Mayors, in Florida, are hireing me as their termination czar. My new exciting service will releive you and your City of the inconvience and liability associated with cleaning house of all the loyalists of the old Mayor, the old way of doing things, and best of all, letting you start your new Mayor-Ship fresh and clean. As most of the offending employees are nasty leftists, annoying socialists, and disgusting perverts, you can see the value of letting me come in and handle the dirty trud cleanup for you.
Thank you Karen I look forward to getting to work for you.
Larry “Bud” Melman
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