Why are you running for office?
I’ve spent my career as a public servant helping children, families, and seniors get the support they need, from serving as a child welfare case manager and nonprofit COO, to launching the CALL program, where social workers respond to non-violent 911 calls. Today, I lead the Children’s Network, a lead agency focused on protecting children who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned across Hillsborough County. I’m running for office because I believe St. Pete deserves safe, clean neighborhoods, real solutions to homelessness and mental health, affordable housing, and stronger infrastructure to prepare for flooding and storms. I’ve led organizations, built coalitions, and delivered results. I’m ready to do the same for you.
What is your top priority on day 1?
On day one, I’ll focus on expanding affordable, mixed-income housing near transit and job centers. This means championing policies and partnerships that create more workforce housing options close to where people live their lives - where they work, shop, play, and send their kids to school. No family should have to choose between paying rent and building a future or endure hours of commuting just to make ends meet. When housing is affordable and well-located, parents can spend more time with their children, grandparents can stay close to their families, and young professionals can build their lives right here in St. Pete. We’ll do this by encouraging smart, sustainable development, reducing unnecessary permitting delays, and working hand-in-hand with community stakeholders, nonprofits, and responsible developers. Affordable housing isn’t just about buildings, it’s about building opportunity, stability, and a stronger, more connected community.
Other than your day 1 priority, what keeps you up at night?
I think about how to keep our neighborhoods clean, safe, and vibrant so families can enjoy the city together. That means well-maintained parks, improved lighting and walkability, and compassionate, effective solutions to address homelessness, especially for those struggling with mental health challenges. No one should be left without support, and we need stronger outreach, treatment options, and services that help people get back on their feet. It also means supporting the arts from murals and public art to live performances and cultural events because the arts bring people together, spark creativity, and give our neighbors their unique character. These everyday details, from safety to culture to caring for our most vulnerable neighbors, are what truly shape the quality of life for everyone in St. Pete.
What’s something you’ve heard from residents that really stuck with you?
Recently, I met with a small business owner who broke down in tears and said, “I’m worried for my business and for others. We need to truly shop locally, fix permitting delays, and improve parking so customers can shop with ease. We can do better.” Her words stayed with me because they reflect both the passion and the struggles of our local entrepreneurs. Supporting small businesses isn’t just about economics, it’s about protecting the heart of our community and making it easier for them to thrive.
For the seat you’re seeking, what is something you wish government did more of?
I wish the city invested much more in proactive resilience, not just stormwater and flood projects, but full-scale preparedness for hurricanes, king tides, extreme rain, and power outages. As a mom, grandmother, and dog owner, I think about how we keep families safe when the water rises or the lights go out. That means moving faster to upgrade our stormwater systems, adding more green spaces and shade trees to soak up rain, and making sure our pumps and flood gates are modern and reliable. It means having backup power for things like water stations and traffic lights, clear signs for evacuation routes, and supplies ready to go at community centers and shelters including ones that welcome pets. It also means sharing information in multiple languages, offering neighborhood preparedness training, and making sure seniors and people with disabilities have the extra help they need when storms hit. When you have kids and grandkids, you focus on leaving things better than you found them. Investing up front in resilience saves money, protects homes and parks, and helps St. Pete bounce back faster so daily life can return to normal, sooner, for everyone.
For the seat you’re seeking, what is something you wish government did less of?
We need less red tape and fewer delays for small businesses and community projects. When local restaurants or family-run shops want to grow, the city should be a partner, not an obstacle.
How will you measure your success?
I’ll measure success by the improvements families can see in their everyday lives: more affordable housing options, cleaner and safer streets, better bike paths and sidewalks, and parks full of activity. If my neighbors feel the difference, we’ll know we’re succeeding.
How do you recharge when you're not campaigning or working?
I recharge by spending time with my amazing husband, our children, our precious grandbaby, and our beloved family dog. We love being outside, whether it’s biking along the waterfront, walking through our neighborhood, or exploring one of St. Pete’s beautiful parks. We’re also big on supporting local restaurants, traveling together, and finding new adventures close to home.