WHAT: Candidates running for mayor of St. Petersburg and city council will participate in two virtual forums to discuss the key issues facing the city and share their positions on a variety of topics, from the redevelopment of Tropicana Field to affordable housing to climate change. Mayoral candidates Robert Blackmon and Ken Welch will meet for a live-stream forum on September 29. City council candidates Copley Gerdes, Tom Mullins, Lisset Hanewicz, Gina Driscoll, Mhariel Summers, Richie Floyd and Jeffrey Danner will gather virtually on September 28. The public can tune into both events by registering for the virtual forums (details below).
Both forums will be moderated by Judithanne Scourfield McLauchlan, a professor of political science and director of the Center for Civic Engagement at USF’s St. Petersburg campus. Candidates will also field questions from USF students. Members of the public who register for the virtual forums will be able to submit questions to the candidates.
WHEN: The Mayoral Candidate Forum takes place on Wednesday, September 29 from 7-8:30 p.m. The City Council Candidate Forum takes place on Tuesday, September 28 from 7-8:30 p.m.
WHERE: The mayoral and city council candidates forums will be virtual.
The public can tune into each event by registering for the virtual forums here:
Mayoral Forum – https://stpetemayorforum.eventbrite.com
City Council Forum –https://stpetecitycouncilforum.eventbrite.com
The forums are organized and sponsored by USF St. Petersburg campus Student Government, USF St. Petersburg campus Center for Civic Engagement, the League of Women Voters of the St. Petersburg area, the St. Petersburg Downtown Business Partnership and LocalShops1.
Media interested in attending the Mayoral Candidate Forum live stream can RSVP with media contact.
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About the University of South Florida
The University of South Florida is a high-impact global research university dedicated to student success. Over the past 10 years, no other public university in the country has risen faster in U.S. News and World Report’s national university rankings than USF. Serving more than 50,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee, USF is designated as a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, placing it in the most elite category among the state’s 12 public universities. USF has earned widespread national recognition for its success graduating under-represented minority and limited-income students at rates equal to or higher than white and higher income students. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.