Pinellas County has 24 distinct municipalities, each with its own distinct electoral and governing systems and unique tax bases. (Compare that to Hillsborough, which has just three municipalities.) Local Council or Commission races play an outsized role in determining what their government does (or doesn’t do) over the next three or four years, never more than in 2026 as big revenue cuts loom for Pinellas communities.
Today, Poliverse begins profiles of the November races in smaller Pinellas communities, beginning with Seminole, the central Pinellas city of 20,000 residents.
Seminole voters will choose two councilors to join the seven-member council. Seminole uses a council-manager system, so their role is part time and involves supervising the day-to-day work of the City Manager and allocating the community’s $36.6 million yearly budget. Councilors in Seminole serve three year terms.
Incumbents Ray Beliveau and Kadi Hendricks Tubbs and challenger Mike Lurie qualified for the ballot. Each voter can choose two, and the top two vote-getters will be seated for a three-year term. Councilors are paid $10,168 per year.
Tubbs is a relatively new addition, having been appointed in March to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Jim Quinn. Tubbs is a former TV anchor, real estate broker and nonprofit executive.
“My priorities include public safety, stormwater improvements, completing the recreation center,
building the new Bay Pines fire station, moving forward with the Military Circle of Honor and
getting the Repetto property up and running for our community to enjoy,” Tubbs told Poliverse in response to emailed questions.
On Amendment 3, which would drastically cut property taxes and the municipal budgets that rely on them, Tubbs emphasized that while she supported property tax cuts, she was opposed to the amendment “as written.”
“Every city and county is different, with different needs, budgets and responsibilities, and I do not believe this proposal adequately accounts for those differences,” Tubbs explained. She noted potential impacts on veterans, and that Pinellas County EMS would cancel plans to add a full-time rescue lieutenant if Amendment 3 passed.
She did, however, support the City’s decision to remove information about Amendment 3 from the City website under pressure from local State Rep. Berny Jacques (R–Seminole). “I do not believe the city acted improperly,” she explained. “However, I believe the city’s website should focus on providing factual information.”
Tubbs named Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders as a political inspiration. “I believe she has been a great governor and did an excellent job as President Trump’s press secretary,” Tubbs explained. “As a mother, business owner and woman serving in local government, I appreciate seeing women lead. I respect her strength, direct communication and willingness to stand firm in her beliefs under pressure.”
Challenger Lurie, an entrepreneur and lifelong Seminole resident, describes himself in campaign materials as “a neighbor, not a resident” who “attended all of the Seminole schools on 86th Avenue and graduated from Seminole High.”
“I’ve been deeply involved in our community for over 20 years via my leadership roles in the Rotary Club of Seminole and the Greater Seminole Area Chamber of Commerce,” Lurie said via email. “Serving on City Council is another opportunity to give back to the community that raised me by having an actual impact on the public policy in our city.”
Lurie focuses on permitting as his highest priority, describing it as “slow and unnecessarily complex.” The storms and their recovery were ultimately the motivating factor for Lurie’s foray into politics. He notes that the relationships he built at the City and County level, professionally and through storm recovery, would benefit him on Council.
On Amendment 3, Lurie commented, “I like not paying unnecessary taxes, but I love that when I call 911 the Sheriff’s Department shows up to protect me. I love that when my fire alarm goes off, Seminole Fire Rescue shows up at my door. I love that when I open my faucet clean water flows. Amendment 3 puts all these essential services at risk. I do not support Amendment 3.
“I was very disappointed in how Representative Jacques handled this situation,” he continued. “There is room for honest disagreement when it comes to Amendment 3, but to threaten litigation right out of the gate was not the right approach.”
Politically, Lurie noted his admiration for George Washington. “This is going to sound cliche,” he said, but he admired the first President’s decision to step away from power after two terms rather than continuing on. “This established a precedent that held for close to 150 years, ensuring the peaceful transition of power and staving off tenancies toward authoritarian rule.”
Beliveau is a former engineer, factory manager, and current consultant who is seeking his second term. Beliveau touts his experience on Council, as a former member of the Library Advisory Board, and a co-founder of the Seminole CERT (Community Emergency Response Team). Beliveau has also served on the Board of the Suncoast League of Cities.
Beliveau touts his service in the US Navy and his 38 years of residence in Seminole. Beliveau pledges Seminole will remain debt-free, with no tax increases, and that he supports PSTA Route 58 through the community. He also touts his advocacy of the Military Circle of Honor, a veteran memorial proposed for Waterfront Park.
Beliveau has not taken a public position on Amendment 3.
Seminole voters can vote early beginning Monday, Oct. 19 at any early voting site; the closest to Seminole is the Supervisor of Elections at 13001 Starkey Road, Largo. Mail ballots may be dropped off at the Seminole Community Library at 9200 113th Street N between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.