Why are you running for office?
I am running to secure St. Pete’s future by bringing strong, balanced leadership to meet the City’s most pressing challenges—and opportunities. In service to St. Pete, I will draw on my experience in public service as well as the private sector. Before law school, I served nonprofit organizations as an investment advisor representative, working with board members and executive leadership to navigate the financial markets, responsibly steward donor funds, and ensure as many dollars as possible were directed to advance the organization’s mission. I understand the significant and immediate impact local government can have on residents’ quality of life, economic security, and safety. I have experience in local government: I served on my school district’s financial oversight committee ensuring tax dollars were allocated in alignment with voter intent. As an Assistant Public Defender, I know what it takes to advocate effectively for others—both in the courtroom and in the public square. Representing the most vulnerable members of our community, I fight every day to ensure each individual’s Constitutional rights are protected, Due Process is followed, and their voices are heard in the courtroom. As District 2’s next Council Member, I will be focused on three primary areas: (1) infrastructure resilience, (2) cost of living, and (3) strengthening the identity of District 2 through the formation and implementation of the District 2 Master Plan.
What is your top priority on day 1?
The global climate is changing and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent. Neighbors are still recovering from the ’24 storms. I will fight to bring as many dollars as possible into District 2 to fortify critical infrastructure in order minimize service disruption during future storms. I will work with neighborhood leaders, environmental scientists, and public and private engineering professionals to better manage stormwater collection and distribution so that neighborhoods are prepared for significant rain events and hurricane season. As part of the proposed $600 million storm preparedness bond to be voted on this August or November, I will advocate for a portion of those funds to be allocated to a grant program for residential storm hardening.
Other than your day 1 priority, what keeps you up at night?
The U.S. Census Bureau reported that Pinellas County lost 12,000 residents last year. This population decline is attributed to both the ’24 storm season and the high cost of living in the region. Because federal and state policymakers are out of touch with the pressures facing working people, it is up to cities and counties to respond with creative solutions to the rising costs of daily life. Storm resiliency is inextricably intertwined with housing costs. I will advocate for resiliency dollars to be made available through a matching grant program to assist residents with storm hardening measures. I will also work with city planners to identify areas in the District and across the City where multi-use designs and strategic density increases make sense in relation to adjacent neighborhoods and businesses. When concessions are granted, I will ensure development partners incorporate a meaningful number of affordable units into each project. With energy prices elevated, focusing on multi-modal transportation options is critical. Let’s ensure sidewalks and bike paths are safe and connected and mixed-use development is favored to encourage a live-work-play lifestyle, reducing dependence on car travel.
What’s something you’ve heard from residents that really stuck with you?
In addition to the ongoing recovery efforts and coastal resiliency planning underway, District 2 residents are focused on a Master Planning effort. Residents have shared with me their hope to build a community center for neighborhood meetings and special events. With the District 2 Master Plan in formation, I will also be focused on enhancing public spaces and expanding park space as there is only one major park in the district. I would also like to explore opportunities for the placement of public art across the District. In addition, as was accomplished in south St. Pete with the Skyway Marina District, let’s name the District to create a sense of place and local identity. As residents and visitors drive over the Howard Frankland and Gandy bridges, they should immediately feel that they are entering a special and connected City as they are welcomed by the Gateway District.
For the seat you’re seeking, what is something you wish government did more of?
I have had the opportunity to participate in two neighborhood clean-ups hosted by the Riviera Bay Civic Association: one focused on the canals and waterways in the neighborhood, and the other focused on 83rd Ave. N. and Riviera Bay Park. These were great opportunities for neighbors to connect with other community-minded friends in the neighborhood and work together to keep St. Pete beautiful. As a Council Member, I would like to organize and host more of these clean-up events on weekends as they not only help keep shared areas looking pristine, protect our wildlife and waterways, but also help build a sense of community among neighbors. In this age of smartphones and social media, it is refreshing to get outside and give back to our community for a few hours on the weekend.
For the seat you’re seeking, what is something you wish government did less of?
Council and Committee meetings tend to take place during the day when working people cannot attend the meeting in person, in real-time. I would like to explore the feasibility of shifting some meetings to evenings so working people can be present. I also would like to explore having meetings on a rotating basis within each district to bring local decision making as close to residents as possible.
How will you measure your success?
I will measure my success through both the lenses of process and results. The most effective leaders are those who are in close and frequent communication with those who they serve. In addition to office hours at City Hall, as a Council Member, I plan to have informal coffee-in-the-park drop-ins on weekends so constituents can stop by and let me know how the City can help and where it can do better. I will also be focused on bringing as many dollars into the District as possible when it comes to storm hardening and preparedness. This will be an important metric I will be watching closely.
How do you recharge when you're not campaigning or working?
My partner, Cory, and I enjoy walks around Riviera Bay Park’s 1/3 mile path. We also like to visit Boyd Hill and say hello to the rescue birds. And of course dinner on Central or Beach and a walk along the Pier is the best weekend night out.