Sen. Darryl Rouson and St. Petersburg firefighters have endorsed Gabriel Hament in his campaign for St. Petersburg City Council District 2, giving him the backing of another prominent local Democrat and both of the city’s major public safety unions ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
Rouson, who represented the St. Petersburg area in the House from 2008 to 2016 before winning election to the Senate, cited affordability and economic opportunity as reasons for his endorsement.
“With rising costs putting pressure on residents, Gabriel Hament will fight for a more affordable city and greater opportunities for everyone across our community,” Rouson said. “St. Pete should be a place where people from every neighborhood and background have the opportunity to succeed.”
The St. Petersburg Association of Firefighters Local 747 also endorsed Hament, joining the Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association in supporting his campaign — giving him the backing of the unions representing the city’s firefighters and police officers.
“Our firefighters are dedicated to protecting St. Pete, and we need leaders who share that commitment. We believe Gabriel Hament will make public safety a priority, and we’re proud to endorse him,” IAFF Local 747 President Rick Pauley said.
Hament has previously secured endorsements from several current and former elected officials, including some of St. Petersburg’s most prominent political figures.
Those include Rep. Michele Rayner, City Council Chair Lisset Hanewicz, Council Member Gina Driscoll, former Mayor Rick Kriseman, former Rep. Ben Diamond, Hillsborough County Public Defender Lisa McLean and former Council Members Jim Kennedy and Ed Montanari.
Hament also has the backing of Equality Florida Action PAC, the Suncoast Sierra Club, Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County, SEIU Florida State Council and Activate St. Pete.
The endorsements come as Hament competes against Courtney Bermudez, a licensed community association manager, for the seat being vacated by term-limited Council Member Brandi Gabbard.
Bermudez has drawn support of her own, including an endorsement from the Florida chapter of the National Organization for Women. Her campaign has emphasized storm preparedness, affordability, housing stability, responsible development and government transparency.
Hament, an Assistant Public Defender in Florida’s 13th Judicial Circuit, has made affordability, neighborhood investment, infrastructure and public safety focal points of his campaign. He supports the city’s proposed $600 million stormwater and wastewater infrastructure bond, along with grants to help homeowners strengthen their properties against storms and increased housing development that includes affordable units.
He has also called for expanded parks and public spaces, a community center and further investment in the Gateway area of north St. Petersburg.
Hament’s campaign highlights his work representing young people in juvenile delinquency court, where he has helped connect clients with counseling, education and job training. Before entering the legal profession, he worked with nonprofit organizations on financial management and participated in community organizing focused on voting rights and civil rights.
Hament and Bermudez will face off in the Nov. 3 election, when voters citywide will decide who succeeds Gabbard in the District 2 seat.