Gulfport voters will choose two City Council members for Ward I and III in the March 2026 municipal election. Gulfport’s qualifying period runs from 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 1 through noon on Dec. 8.
Photo by Cameron Healy
Gulfport voters will choose two city council members for Ward I and III in the 2026 municipal election.
Vice Mayor April Thanos will not seek re-election in Ward I. Council appointed Cosi Jackson to fill the vacant seat in Ward III when Paul Ray resigned last year. Jackson was sworn in on Feb. 11, 2025. Jackson picked up her qualifying packet, signaling her intention to run for the Ward III council seat.
Gulfport’s Qualifying Period for 2026 Election
The City of Gulfport’s qualifying period runs from 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, through noon on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. Candidates must live in their ward for at least one year before qualifying.
As of Nov. 20, no candidates have qualified.
“No person is able to qualify until the qualifying period opens Monday, Dec. 1 at 8:30,” City Clerk Theresa Carrico said. She did tell The Gabber Newspaper that Joe Guenther declared his candidacy for Ward I.
The Gabber Newspaper will publish the official list once the qualifying window closes.
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Key Election Dates
Election Day is Tuesday, March 10, 2026, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The last day to register to vote is Monday, Feb. 9, 2026.
Who Can Vote?
Registered voters in all four wards in the city may vote in every council race.
More information, visit votepinellas.gov and mygulfport.us.
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Gulfport’s Qualifying Period for 2026 ElectionThe Gabber Newspaper’s Election Coverage
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