Why are you running for office?
When I came home to St Pete after playing professional baseball, I immediately started giving back to the community that had given me so much. Some of that was volunteerism like coaching little league and serving on City boards, like the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee. A big part of giving back, for me, was creating homes my neighbors could afford to live in. I’ve been working on affordability as a citizen for years now. At a time when affordability is one of the biggest challenges facing St. Petersburg, I want to put that experience to work on City Council.
What is your top priority on day 1?
Affordability. Costs are putting pressure on families across St. Petersburg, and I want to make sure we're using every tool available to keep our city affordable for the people who live here. Housing is a big part of that affordability puzzle, but we have to attack the problem from every angle.
Other than your day 1 priority, what keeps you up at night?
I think about whether we're preparing our city for the future. As a peninsula on a peninsula, our infrastructure and storm resilience are critical. We’re also facing unprecedented interference from Tallahassee. The uncertainty of the current climate – both the weather and the politics – means the quality of our preparations may determine whether the St. Petersburg we love remains a great place to live for the next generation.
What’s something you’ve heard from residents that really stuck with you?
I've talked with people who have lived here for decades and worry they won't be able to afford to stay. St. Petersburg has given so many people incredible opportunities, and I don't want rising costs to force families out of the community they've helped build.
For the seat you’re seeking, what is something you wish government did more of?
I want City Hall to spend more time listening. District 6 covers an extremely diverse area of St. Petersburg. The next City Councilmember for this district will be representing many of our city’s businesses and also neighborhoods that have sometimes not seen the benefits of government and business decisions. I want to engage with every single resident of District 6 about what they need to thrive in the St Pete of tomorrow.
For the seat you’re seeking, what is something you wish government did less of?
I need government to spend less time reacting to problems and more time planning ahead. If we can be proactive instead of waiting until issues become crises, we’ll find ourselves in a better situation when problems do arise.
How will you measure your success?
I'll measure success by whether people feel their city is working for them. If more families can afford to stay here, residents feel heard, and we're leaving St. Petersburg stronger than we found it, I'll know we're moving in the right direction.
How do you recharge when you're not campaigning or working?
There are five very important women in my life: my wife Mashainah and our four daughters. My time with them is the greatest joy I have in my life. Other than that, I’m mentoring local kids in little league and helping out with the baseball team at Lakewood High.