Barclay Harless says he won’t accept any contributions from of more than $1,000 from outside groups in his bid for the St. Petersburg City Council District 2 seat. He’s also calling on his opponent, Brandi Gabbard, to do the same.
“I pledge to not allow any outside group to spend on my behalf, more than the legal allowable contribution limit of $1,000 per election, and I ask my opponent to commit to the same pledge,” Harless said Tuesday. “This will benefit all of the constituents of District 2 and all of St. Pete residents.”
Harless made similar comments near the conclusion of Monday night’s candidate forum featuring all six contenders vying for the three open Council seats.
“I’m committing here and now that I will not support or allow outside groups to spend more than the legal allowable limits on a PAC,” he said, adding that he has chosen not to have his own political action committee “because I believe that money has poisoned our political system.”
“It prevents good decisions from being made, and good people from running for office,” he added, saying that he encouraged everyone else on the dais to join him in that pact.
Gabbard replied with a two-sentence statement Tuesday.