ST. PETE BEACH — Voters ousted the mayor and a commissioner here March 10, handing decisive victories to two challengers in what proved to be the most contentious races in the Pinellas County municipal elections.

Scott Tate, a project management consultant and Police Pension Board member, defeated incumbent Mayor Adrian Petrila with 66% of the vote, collecting 1,978 votes to Petrila’s 1,019, according to the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections. Petrila was seeking a second term.

In the District 3 commission race, political newcomer Al Causey unseated incumbent Betty Rzewnicki, drawing 460 votes, or 52%, to Rzewnicki’s 424. District 1 Commissioner Karen Marriott won a second term unopposed.

Tate will take office March 24.

The mayor’s race grew increasingly bitter in its final weeks. The League of Women Voters, which hosted a candidate forum in February, declined to post a replay because of what it deemed excessive personal attacks. During the forum, Petrila accused Tate of having an arrest record and facing foreclosures — allegations Tate denied.

Tate ran on a platform centered on hurricane recovery, permitting reform and opposition to Petrila’s proposal to toll access points to the barrier island. He said the 2024 storms upended his family’s life and exposed failures in city leadership.

“Our community has been through a lot, and residents made it clear they want our local government focused on what matters most — fixing the permitting process, strengthening our infrastructure without new taxes, tolls, and assessments, and helping families and businesses fully recover,” Tate said after his victory.

Tate told the Beacon before the election that taking control of Gulf Boulevard, Blind Pass Road and 75th Avenue from the Florida Department of Transportation — as Petrila proposed — would saddle the city with significant maintenance costs the state currently bears. Under Florida law, he noted, toll revenue must be spent on the roads themselves, not on other infrastructure.

He also voiced support for Freebee and similar rideshare services, saying they reduce traffic and impaired driving while encouraging visitors to patronize local businesses.

In the District 3 race, Causey, a retired Southwest Airlines captain, campaigned on infrastructure repair, permitting improvements and pedestrian safety. During the candidate forum, he called for lowering the speed limit on Gulf Boulevard to 25 mph and replacing flashing pedestrian beacons with standard traffic signals.