The Suncoast Tampa Association of REALTORS (STAR) is endorsing St. Petersburg City Council Member Brandi Gabbard for Mayor, snubbing incumbent Mayor Ken Welch in favor of one of its own. Gabbard is a realtor.
STAR endorsed Gabbard despite backing Welch in his 2021 campaign. The group highlighted Gabbard’s City Council experience, business acumen and her focus on housing and redevelopment. STAR President Corina Lessa also gave Gabbard a vote of confidence on redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant District, which happens to be one of Welch’s top priorities.
The Gas Plant District remains one of the central issues facing the next administration after the collapse of the previous redevelopment agreement tied to the Tampa Bay Rays stadium deal.
“St. Pete faces a once-in-a-generation decision on how to best develop the Historic Gas Plant District. The next Mayor and City Council will play an instrumental role in determining how to provide housing, incubate businesses, and add to the cultural vibrancy of our city. Brandi Gabbard is qualified, prepared, and has a comprehensive plan that will bring our city together to build a community that works for everyone,” Lessa said.
Gabbard has focused her campaign on affordability, accountability, resilience and community-driven leadership. Her platform includes proposals aimed at utility costs, housing, public safety, small-business support, transportation, food access and the future of the Historic Gas Plant District.
It also includes calls to explore energy independence from Duke Energy, expand access to missing middle housing and accessory dwelling units, reduce regulations and parking requirements that drive up development costs, and treat food access as necessary infrastructure. City Council recently approved commissioning of a feasibility study that could cost up to $590,000 to better understand the Duke Energy proposal.
“Every resident of St. Petersburg deserves the opportunity to enjoy an affordable and livable city. I am honored to receive the support of the Suncoast Tampa Association of REALTORS. Like me, their members interact with community residents daily and recognize exactly what is needed to move us forward,” Gabbard said. “The Gas Plant District represents an opportunity to reinvigorate our city, ensure we stay vibrant, and bring economic opportunity now and for future generations. By working together, we can ensure no one in St. Pete is left behind.”
The STAR endorsement follows another recent endorsement from Activate St. Pete, which backed Gabbard based on her record on multimodal transportation, pedestrian safety, “Complete Streets” policies, bike infrastructure, transit access and people-focused development.
Gabbard qualified for the ballot last week. The race also includes former Gov. Charlie Crist, former St. Petersburg Fire Chief Jim Large, former Shore Acres Neighborhood Civic Association President Kevin Batdorf, Maria Scruggs and Paul Congemi.
The Primary Election is Aug. 18. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two finishers will advance to a November General Election runoff.
