Trevor Mallory has consolidated support from all three candidates eliminated in the St. Petersburg City Council District 6 Primary, while some prominent backers of his former rivals are also lining up behind him ahead of the Nov. 3 General Election.
His latest endorsements include former Primary opponent Terri Balliet, Sen. Darryl Rouson, former City Council Members Charlie Gerdes and Ed Montanari, businessman Pete Boland and former St. Petersburg NAACP President Maria Scruggs.
Balliet joins former candidates Jameka Williams and Doug Homeyer in endorsing Mallory, giving him the backing of every candidate eliminated from the five-way Primary.
The post-Primary shift extends beyond the former candidates themselves. Balliet had drawn support from Rouson and former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman. Kriseman endorsed Mallory earlier this month.
Unlike the Primary, which was limited to District 6 voters, the race will be decided citywide during the General Election. Mallory faces Linsey Grove for the seat, which is being vacated by term-limited Council Member Gina Driscoll. Driscoll has also endorsed Mallory as her successor of choice.
Grove finished in first during the Primary with 1,902 votes, while Mallory placed second with 1,517, according to official Pinellas County election results.
Rouson highlighted Mallory’s housing work and youth mentorship as reasons for his support.
“Trevor Mallory has served St Petersburg by creating affordable homes, by helping our neighbors achieve home ownership, through civic service, and by mentoring our youth,” Rouson said. “I look forward to seeing what he will accomplish for us on city council.”
Gerdes, who previously represented District 1, highlighted Mallory’s work in housing affordability.
“I will be voting for Trevor Mallory to be the next City Councilman for District 6 because Trevor is a community leader on affordable housing and access to home ownership,” Gerdes said. “Trevor Mallory is the best choice for St. Petersburg’s future success.”
Montanari, a former District 3 Council member, noted Mallory’s “grit and positive attitude” as reason for his endorsement.
“Trevor brings the boundless energy, optimism, and determination to move our city forward,” Montanari said. “He believes, as I do, that St. Petersburg’s brightest days are still ahead and he is ready to work every day to help us reach them. In the District 6 race for City Council, I’m proud to support Trevor Mallory.”
Mallory is President of Neighborhood Home Solutions and a Lakewood High School graduate. He has served on St. Petersburg’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, Citizen Redistricting Commission and Affordable Housing Lot Disposition Committee, along with coaching and leadership roles in local youth baseball.
His campaign has focused on affordability, housing and homeownership, along with infrastructure, storm resilience and planning intended to protect existing residents as St. Petersburg grows.
Mallory already entered the General Election with a sizable list of political and community endorsements.
His supporters include Driscoll, Kriseman, former Council members Frank Peterman, Karl Nurse and Jim Kennedy, Pinellas County Commissioner Rene Flowers, Rep.-elect Kyandra Darling, Rep. Daryl Campbell, former Rep. Ben Diamond and the Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association, among others.
Mallory faces Grove in the Nov. 3 General Election.