With the primary election looming on Sept. 1, area LGBT groups are releasing their endorsements for city council and mayor. The Stonewall Democrats have endorsed four candidates—one for mayor and three for city council.
The group voted to fully endorse Scott Wagman for mayor, Steve Kornell for the District 5 City Council seat and Karl Nurse for the District 6 seat.
While the group didn’t fully endorse District 4 candidate Dr. Pamela Settlegoode, it did vote to “recommend” her to voters.
“This is a critical election for the future of St. Petersburg,” said Rick Boylan, President of the Stonewall Democrats. “We must focus our energies to make sure these candidates are successful.”
Wagman, the group said, is committed to equality and not only proved that on a questionnaire, but by his active participation in St. Pete Pride in June. Nurse, according to a Stonewall Democrats press release, is an incumbent that has constantly supported LGBT rights and issues and first-time candidate Kornell, who is openly gay, is a member of the group who also has an “understanding of the issues” facing the city.
Historically, city elections in St. Petersburg have a low voter turnout. According to the St. Petersburg Times, less than 10% of mailed out ballots have been returned to the elections office. That can mean two things for the Stonewall Democrats’ candidates—either major success or major disappointment, depending on the work they put into the election
“The Stonewall Democrats can make the difference in this election,” Boylan told the group during its July 16 meeting. He urged members to call voters, hand out literature and e-mail friends about the upcoming vote.
Candidates who win the primary election will run again in the Nov. 3 general election.
