Republican Melissa Rutland has filed to run for House District 60, to replace Democratic Rep. Lindsay Cross.
Rutland’s filing adds another moving piece to a race that opened up last week when Cross announced she would not seek re-election, even though she could have served two more terms before reaching term limits. Rutland filed late Tuesday, according to the Florida Division of Elections.
Rutland’s campaign highlighted her roots in Pinellas County, which stretch back more than a century to “when 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, which left a lasting impact on the city.”
In 2015 Rutland founded her own business, the Rutland Florida Gulf Group, where she specializes in commercial investments. That same year she was also appointed by Mayor Rick Kriseman 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.
“As a longtime resident of St. Petersburg, I understand the issues that matter most in Pinellas County. Four generations of my family have built their lives in this city, and I’ve spent my career here helping other families and small businesses build their dreams,” Rutland said in a statement announcing her campaign. “But too many of my neighbors are being priced out of their homes by insurance rates that break the bank, property taxes that keep climbing, and the cost of rebuilding after the hurricanes. I’m a businesswoman, and until recently, running for office was not part of my plan, but my community is struggling, and we need creative solutions to the difficult problems that face Pinellas families.”
Rutland is likely to draw establishment GOP support, as 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.
Cross’ departure is now tempting Republican candidates to take a stab at accomplishing what Montanari could not, flipping the seat red, while leaving the door open for new Democratic leadership.
Qualifying runs through Friday.