On Monday night the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus Campaign Committee unanimously decided to approve a GOTV Grant of $1000 to the Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County for their Primary GOTV efforts. This is the first time the Caucus has provided Primary GOTV funding and is a great first step in electing more GLBTA leaders in Florida.

Florida has an opportunity to invest in our future and our future GLBTA leaders by electing 4 of our best proponents for equality in the 4th largest city in Florida: St. Petersburg.

In 2009 history was made when Steve Kornell became the first member of the LGBT community to be elected to any office in Pinellas County as he became a St. Petersburg City Council member.

Now we can make an even bigger splash in the St. Pete primary elections on Aug 27th.

We’re raising funds for a slate piece that will be mailed to St. Pete super voters in support of these great candidates:

Rick Kriseman For Mayor
Darden Rice For Council, District 4
Amy Foster For Council, District 8
Karl Nurse For Council, District 2

The Challenge: Match The Caucus Commitment So Far

We’ve already committed $1,000 to this effort for direct mail. Our goal is to double that amount through your kind donation today.

All endorsed by the St. Pete Times, Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas, and Equality Florida.  This grant is still short of the GOTV needs on what will be a huge “General Election-like” turnout. Over 30,000 people are expected to turnout to vote on a local issue and that will greatly impact our candidates.

The Campaign Committee is requesting that all Caucus Chapters consider supporting this effort with a minimum $350 – $500 donation today to meet the goal of 5k for GOTV efforts.

Donate now online
or
send overnight mail to:
Stonewall Democrats
Post Office Box 40776
St. Petersburg, Florida 33743-0776

If this slate is elected in the primary, St. Petersburg will move one step closer to having 3 members of the LGBT community on an 8 member council — representation that even San Francisco can’t claim — a majority on council who are strong equality advocates, and a mayor who will make sure St. Petersburg — the 4th largest city in the state — will be a leader for equality.

Rick Kriseman For Mayor
Before there was Kevin Beckner in Hillsborough County, before there was Steve Kornell in St. Pete, and before there was Joe Saunders in Tallahassee, there was our stalwart ally, Rick Kriseman. As a St. Petersburg City Council Member, Rick Kriseman lead the effort to get council to recognize the Gay Pride celebration. Since then Kriseman has fought for equality as a 2 term State House Rep, and is now ready to move St. Pete forward as it’s mayor. In addition to our Caucus support, Kriseman has been endorsed by the Pinellas County Stonewall Democrats, and Equality Florida.

Darden Rice For Council, District 4
A long time activist promoting equality, this former Sierra Club leader and president of the League of Women Voters is well positioned to win her primary, which includes a Tea Party activist nationally known for promoting a racist cartoon of president Obama during the health care negotiations. Darden is not only a veteran of Pinellas County politics, but an open Lesbian who will fight for equality for all.

Amy Foster For Council, District 8
This newcomer to politics has been a leader for girls as a State Staffer with the Florida Girl Scouts, and now as a program director for an organization that promotes female participation in the sciences and math. Amy’s in charge of 37 states, and finds public/private partnerships for a living: skills that will serve her well as she searches for creative ways to increase services for St. Petersburg constituents during challenging budgetary times. Also an open Lesbian, Amy will be another powerful advocate for equality.

Karl Nurse For Council, District 2
Karl currently sits on Council, and has received the endorsements of the LGBT community every time he’s ran. A local business owner, Karl has made great strides as an advocate for the environment/renewable energy, affordable housing, and of course, equality for all.