Terri Balliet’s latest campaign fundraiser came with perhaps the best view of District 6 anyone could ask for.
Hosted by Holly Matson atop downtown’s 400 Central, supporters gathered nearly 50 stories above St. Petersburg Wednesday evening, looking out over the neighborhoods Balliet hopes to represent if elected to City Council on Aug. 18.
From the rooftop, guests could see much of the district unfold below, stretching from downtown to Tropicana Field, the Historic Gas Plant District and Tampa Bay. The tower itself has become a symbol of downtown’s transformation and one of the city’s most valuable additions to its property tax base, making it a fitting backdrop for one of the race’s better-attended campaign events.
The guest list reflected Balliet’s growing coalition of political, business and civic supporters.
Among those in attendance were State Sen. Darryl Rouson, former St. Petersburg City Administrator Ronald Dock, City Councilmember Copley Gerdes, Mack Feldman of Feldman Equities, SmartChoice Communications Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) Elisa Caro and SmartChoice CEO Jarrett Wolfe, along with dozens of supporters from the nonprofit and business communities.
Rouson, who endorsed Balliet earlier this summer, told the crowd her career has always centered on service rather than politics.
“I’ve learned over the years that the best public servants don’t start by asking, ‘How can I get elected?'” Rouson said. “They start by asking, ‘How can I help?’ That’s Terri Balliet.”
He said Balliet’s experience leading Children’s Network, the nonprofit overseeing child welfare services across the region, has prepared her for the financial and policy decisions awaiting the next District 6 councilmember.
“She has the corporate experience, the business knowledge and, most importantly, the budget knowledge from running a nonprofit,” Rouson said. “It’s been a long time since we’ve had a councilmember who lives for children and is so dedicated to their welfare.”
Balliet has spent more than a year building one of the longest-running campaigns in this election cycle. As CEO of Children’s Network, she oversees an organization responsible for nearly 2,000 children who have experienced abuse, neglect or exploitation, managing a budget exceeding $120 million and a complex network of public and private partners.
That background has helped her assemble endorsements spanning elected officials, nonprofit leaders and business executives, an unusual coalition, but a necessary bona fide in a race centered on one of the city’s most influential council districts.
District 6 encompasses downtown, the Historic Gas Plant District and several of St. Petersburg’s fastest-growing neighborhoods, placing whoever wins the seat at the center of decisions involving redevelopment, housing, transportation and economic development.
With early voting underway and the Aug. 18 primary less than two weeks away, Tuesday’s event was less about policy than momentum, as supporters mingled against one of the city’s most recognizable skylines while Balliet worked the room overlooking the district she hopes to serve.
In conversation with Poliverse, CRO of SmartChoice, Elisa Caro succinctly characterized Balliet as “someone who puts families first. This is what St. Pete needs.” Caro continued: “We need someone genuine, and Balliet will bring compassion and strength to the district seat.”
Content produced in partnership with Balliet campaign.
