News Summary
In St. Petersburg, Florida, Commissioners Kathleen Peters and Brian Scott are hosting a fundraiser to support their re-election campaigns. The event takes place at the Birchwood, emphasizing fundraising and outreach, as both incumbents have no challengers. Peters has raised nearly $64,000, while Scott has over $76,000. The host committee includes influential GOP figures and local leaders, aiming to consolidate party support and shape the future political landscape in Pinellas County.
St. Petersburg, Florida – Pinellas County Commissioners Kathleen Peters and Brian Scott, both Republicans, are set to host a fundraiser this week to bolster their re-election campaigns. The event will take place on Thursday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Birchwood located at 340 Berach Dr. NE. As neither incumbent has encountered challengers for the upcoming elections, their campaign efforts are primarily focused on fundraising and outreach.
Both Peters and Scott have made substantial progress in raising funds for their campaigns since announcing their intentions to seek re-election. Kathleen Peters, who was first elected to the County Commission in 2018, has raised nearly $64,000 since April, with a significant portion still available in her campaign account. Before her tenure on the County Commission, Peters served in the Florida House from 2012 to 2018 and was the Mayor of South Pasadena.
Meanwhile, Brian Scott, who joined the County Commission in 2022 following a victory over Democrat Pat Gerard, has raised over $76,000 for his campaign. Approximately $65,000 remains on hand, along with an additional $20,000 from his political committee, Friends of Brian Scott. Recent donations to this committee include notable contributions of $10,000 from Dynamic Group and $10,000 from Republican donor Joseph White.
Fundraiser Support Committee
The host committee for the upcoming fundraiser features a mix of influential figures from GOP politics, the local business community, and political insiders. Among those listed are former Senator Jeff Brandes; former St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster; former St. Petersburg City Council members Robert Blackmon and Ed Montanari; developer Albert Jasuwan and community advocate Torrie Jasuwan; Dali Museum Executive Director Hank Hine; and lobbyists such as Matt Blair, Helen Levine, and Ron Pierce, along with business figures Chuck Prather, Brent Sembler, and Jonathan Stanton.
Current Political Landscape
The political atmosphere in Pinellas County has shifted, with the current County Commission holding a Republican supermajority, comprising six Republicans and one Democrat. Republican Commissioner Dave Eggers is also gearing up for re-election in 2026 and is facing internal opposition, as challenger Tony Ringelspaugh has filed to run, although he has not yet raised funds.
Background Context
Kathleen Peters’ rise to political prominence began during her service in the Florida House of Representatives, where she represented her district before transitioning to the County Commission. Brian Scott’s election marked a pivotal moment for the commission, shifting the balance of power and contributing to the Republican majority. The upcoming fundraisers will allow both commissioners not just to increase their campaign coffers but also to consolidate support from influential figures in the party and community.
The outcome of these re-election campaigns could further shape the future political landscape of Pinellas County as the commissioners look to secure their positions and continue their work in local governance.
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Additional Resources
- Florida Politics: Kathleen Peters, Brian Scott Joint Fundraiser
- St. Pete Catalyst: Creative Pinellas
- Florida Politics: Kyandra Darling Fundraising
- Florida Politics: Wengay Newton Fundraising
- Florida Politics: Cookie Kennedy’s Commission Seat Challenge
- Wikipedia: Politics of Florida
- Google Search: Pinellas County elections
- Google Scholar: Pinellas County Commission
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Florida
- Google News: Florida politics
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
