Pinellas County Tax Collector Adam Ross is endorsing Republican Melissa Rutland just one day after she entered the race for House District 60.
Rutland is running for the seat currently held by Democrat Lindsay Cross who announced earlier this month she would not seek re-election. Rutland was the first and so far is the only Republican to file for the race, though one other Republican has expressed an interest in running.
Rutland is a small business owner whose Pinellas County roots stretch back more than a century. Her family helped build St. Petersburg’s business community through Rutland Brothers Department Store, Rutland’s men’s store on Central Avenue, and St. Petersburg Bank & Trust, which eventually became Rutland Bank.
In 2015 Rutland founded her own business, the Rutland Florida Gulf Group, where she specializes in commercial investments.
Ross said he was proud to endorse Rutland for the seat.
“Melissa has spent decades building businesses, serving her community, and earning the trust of Pinellas County families through real work,” Ross said, “Her business and community engagement background will be a great addition to the Florida House. We need a problem-solver in Tallahassee who will deliver results, and Melissa Rutland is exactly that person.”
Rutland called Ross’ support an honor.
“Adam is a trusted voice in our community who understands the affordability crisis facing Pinellas County families every single day,” she said. “His support strengthens our mission to bring real solutions to reduce insurance costs, cut property taxes, and bring economic opportunity to Pinellas County.”
Former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman appointed Rutland in 2015 to the St. Petersburg Development Review Commission, where she served for nearly a decade, including a stint as its first female Chair. In 2023, Gov. Ron DeSantis also appointed Rutland to the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, and she also serves on the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership Board of Directors. She also held a previous role on the St. Petersburg Area YMCA Board for a decade.
She also previously served on boards for the St Petersburg Museum of History, Florida CCIM West Coast and the Rotary Club of St. Petersburg and as Treasurer of Babycycle, a nonprofit supporting local families with young children.
Rutland is likely to draw more establishment GOP support. Her campaign filing lists prominent political finance expert Noreen Fenner as Treasurer. Fenner manages financial operations associated with the Florida House Republican Campaign Committee and many conservative political figures.
Democrat Lindsay Polega-Quigley entered the race hours after Cross’ announcement, launching her campaign with Cross’ endorsement. Polega-Quigley, an attorney, is campaigning around affordability and environmental issues, including water quality and flooding concerns.
HD 60 is a competitive district. Democrats hold a narrow voter registration advantage, outnumbering Republicans by fewer than 1,000 voters out of more than 108,000 registered residents. Cross won re-election in 2024 with 54% of the General Election vote against former St. Petersburg City Council Member Ed Montanari.
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Florida Politics reporter Jesse Mendoza contributed to this report.