St. Pete council candidates discuss primary results

Tuesday’s primary election has whittled the five candidates running to replace Councilmember Ed Montanari down to two – Pete Boland or Mike Harting will become District 3’s first new representative in nearly a decade.

Wengay Newton and Corey Givens Jr. emerged from six District 7 candidates, and one will fill appointed Councilmember John Muhammad’s voluntarily vacated seat. Council Chair Deborah Figgs-Sanders knew her District 5 opponent, Torrie Jasuwan, months in advance as the small business owner and real estate broker was the only challenger to qualify.

St. Petersburg’s municipal ballots are now set after Tuesday’s primary. Here are Wednesday morning reactions from the candidates, as told to the Catalyst.

District 3

“I’m someone who is kind of more, I would say, fearless,” Boland said. “I think part of the reason we won is because we took a stand on issues like the stadium.”

Pete Boland, District 3 city council candidate.

Boland received the most votes (29.3%) in District 3, which includes the Shore Acres neighborhood. The former Mayoral candidate owns The Galley and Mary Margaret’s Old Irish Tavern in Downtown St. Petersburg.

Harting, known for owning 3 Daughters Brewing and his extensive philanthropic efforts, garnered 27.2% of the votes. Montanari has represented the northeastern district since January 2015.

He is also the only Republican serving on the dais, as District 3 is one of two without a Democratic majority. Boland, a moderate Republican with bipartisan support, believes it is “critically important” that area residents have “proper representation.”

In addition to demographic, fundraising and campaign strategy advantages, Boland, a St. Petersburg native, noted that he and Harting have “grown up in the district” and thought the familiarity would “carry the day.”

“No matter what, Ed Montanari’s seat will be in good hands,” Boland added. “But we feel really strongly about where we’re going to be in November.”

Boland said there is “some truth” to comparisons between him and Harting, who has also received bipartisan support. However, Boland believes he represents a “new generation,” and his downtown presence provides a “unique perspective.”

Harting, who finished roughly 150 votes shy of Boland, said he was surprised the primary was so close. Harting has lived in the district since 1977 and said his three decades of community outreach “reaches across political divides.”

Mike Harting, District 3 city council candidate.

“I think I am more of a centrist than most,” Harting said. “I think my standings on public policy are more in the middle … my thoughts on standings on the budget are pretty neutral, in terms of party.

“I think that gives voters on both sides something to really look at and consider.”

Harting realizes a citywide campaign will require broader fundraising efforts. He also plans to spend more time in the community and noted District 3 alone has 11 homeowners associations.

“I have no idea how many there are in the entire city, but it’s going to require a lot of legwork to get out and talk to people,” Harting said. “I’m thinking and hoping there will be bigger stages for meeting and talking to voters about what is different between the two of us and what we stand for.”

District 7

Wengay Newton was the top vote-getter (35.2%) in South St. Petersburg’s District 7. However, his goal was to place among the top two candidates and ensure voters citywide could help decide the race.

Newtown is intimately familiar with representing an area that encompasses the Deuces Live District, Childs Park and Disston Heights. He served on the city council from 2008 through 2016, in the House of Representatives from 2016 until 2020 and, like Boland, was a mayoral candidate in 2021.

“It’s a labor of love … I’ve done this before,” Newton said. “So, you’re talking zero learning curve. I’m the only one in the race with legislative experience.”

Wengay Newton, District 7 city council candidate.

He noted the city’s strained relationships in Tallahassee and plans to mend those fences. Newton believes he can bridge the divide between South St. Pete residents, community leaders and state politicians who grew up with “platinum spoons.”

“We’ve got to get beyond hating and being mean with each other,” Newtown said. “That’s why nothing ever happens in the Midtown area. You’ve got to go along to get along, and I’m not going along until they fix that area.”

Corey Givens Jr. finished second in the district with 22.7% of the vote. He is an ordained minister, a longtime community advocate and has served on several boards.

Givens said he is “overjoyed” at the results, optimistic for the next phase and eagerly anticipates the work ahead. He explained that people are familiar with more than his name.

“Folks know Corey shows up beyond just election season,” Givens said. “They know I’m a candidate who is actually going to deliver tangible results.”

Corey Givens Jr., District 7 city council candidate.

He said the low turnout – District 7 candidates received over 3,000 fewer votes than those in District 3 – shows many area residents remain indifferent to the field. However, Givens believes he mobilized typically disengaged voters as he represents a “new generational leadership.”

Givens said his campaign has already stretched citywide, and he will increase community outreach efforts. He also noted the importance of helping disenfranchised residents register to vote.

“I think, because this is a presidential election, we’re going to get a higher than usual turnout,” Givens added. “There’s a lot on the ballot, more than just city council … this is an issue-based ballot, and I want to keep it issue-based and people-focused.

The recently announced Catalyst Candidates Forum will showcase those competing to fill three city council and two Pinellas County Commission seats. The Palladium will host the free event Oct. 7. For more information, visit the website here.