Waters, a fixture in Seminole politics since 2009, will continue leading the city of roughly 19,000 residents
Longtime Seminole Mayor Leslie Waters has defeated challenger Marcus Barber in a race that pit decades of government experience against a first-time candidate running on a message of community service and small-town pride.
With unofficial results in, Waters secured a resounding win, with nearly 57% of the vote.
Waters, a fixture in Seminole politics since 2009, will continue leading the city of roughly 19,000 residents in central Pinellas County. Before becoming Mayor in 2013, she served as a City Council member, Vice Mayor and interim Mayor.
Before her time with the city, she spent eight years in the Florida House, where she rose to Speaker Pro Tempore and chaired key committees on transportation and insurance.
Her local résumé is extensive, including work with the Florida League of Cities, the Pinellas County Mayors’ Council and a long list of civic causes. Waters is active in numerous community drives and volunteer programs, including the Seminole Interfaith Food Pantry, Relay for Life, the Salvation Army’s annual “Ring with the Mayor” campaign, and the city’s Socks and Soup drive.
Waters has also been involved with local organizations such as the Seminole Historical Society, the Chamber of Commerce and Friends of the Library, and she authored a book on the workings of local government called “Good Morning Mayor, What’s Up?”
Barber, a Seminole native and U.S. Navy veteran, challenged Waters on a message centered on safety, small-business support and civic kindness. He served 20 years in the military as a helicopter crew chief and rescue swimmer, and in 2018, he founded Revive In Time CPR in Seminole to teach life-saving skills to residents across Pinellas County.
His campaign emphasized emergency preparedness, business mentorship and anti-bullying initiatives for youth.
Turnout in the race was just over 24%, with fewer than 3,300 votes cast.
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