Former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman, Rep.-elect Kyandra Darling, Rep. Daryl Campbell and the Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association are backing Trevor Mallory in the St. Petersburg City Council District 6 runoff.
Mallory faces Linsey Grove in the race to succeed term-limited Council Member Gina Driscoll. Grove led the five-candidate August field with 1,902 votes, or about 28%, while Mallory finished second with 1,517 votes, or about 23%.
Kriseman highlighted Mallory’s work on affordability and housing as reasons for his endorsement.
“Trevor is already working on the biggest problems facing St. Pete, like affordability,” Kriseman said. “With a seat on the City Council, he’s going to be able to achieve so much more for our neighborhoods.”
Darling, who is unopposed in the General Election after winning the Democratic nomination for House District 62, also highlighted affordability.
“Trevor knows what is at stake, and I trust him to fight for policies that provide real relief, lowering the cost of living, expanding opportunities for homeownership, and creating a stronger future for families,” Darling said.
Campbell highlighted Mallory’s experience through his previous role as President of the Democratic Black Caucus of Florida.
“I’ve had the opportunity to know Trevor and see the way he approaches his work and his community, and I know he doesn’t take the responsibility of leadership lightly,” Campbell said. “As the former President of the Democratic Black Caucus of Florida, Trevor has already had the opportunity to serve in a statewide leadership role. I’m proud to support Trevor Mallory for City Council and look forward to seeing him bring his spirit of service and accountability to City Hall.”
The Sun Coast PBA separately endorsed Mallory in a Sept. 14 letter signed by President Jonathan Vazquez and Executive Director and General Counsel Sasha Lohn. The union said it would ask its members, their families and friends to support Mallory. The PBA represents bargaining units for St. Petersburg Police officers and technicians, as well as sergeants and lieutenants.
Earlier this month, former opponents Jameka Williams and Doug Homeyer also threw their support behind him.
Williams said she met with both runoff candidates before choosing Mallory, pointing to his affordable housing work, approach to development and focus on utility costs. Homeyer said he trusts Mallory to create an environment where businesses and families can grow.
Mallory has also received endorsements from Driscoll, former Council Members Frank Peterman, Karl Nurse and Jim Kennedy, Pinellas County Commissioner Rene Flowers and former Rep. Ben Diamond, among others.
Mallory is President of Neighborhood Home Solutions, where his work focuses on helping residents achieve homeownership. He has also served on several St. Petersburg boards and committees, including the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee.
The two candidates have raised similar amounts, but Grove enters the latest reporting period with more money remaining. Through Sept. 11, Grove has reported nearly $50,000 in contributions and almost $34,000 in expenditures, leaving just over $16,000 on hand. Mallory has reported just over $54,000 in contributions and about $47,000 in expenditures, leaving roughly $7,000 on hand.
District 6 voters narrowed the field to Grove and Mallory in August, but the November City Council election is decided citywide.