In the fast-changing roster of those thinking of running for Pinellas County’s vacant congressional seat, include Safety Harbor Mayor Joseph Ayoub.
According to Curtis Krueger of the Tampa Bay Times, Ayoub is currently only considering a run and has not yet decided.
In a news release Monday, the mayor told of the many people encouraging him who are “excited about a true conservative Republican potentially getting in, running and winning.”
Ayoub is a both a CPA and a lifelong Pinellas County resident.
Special elections to replace longtime Republican U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young, who died last month, will begin next year. The primary set for Jan. 14 and a general election on March 11.
The 13th Congressional District is most of Pinellas County.
Republican David Jolly, Young’s former general counsel, has already announced plans to run for the Republican nomination, Krueger notes. Other Republicans still in the discussion phase are Pinellas County Sheriff Robert Gualtieri former Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard, Pinellas Commissioner Karen Seel, former Pinellas Commissioner Neil Brickfield, and Young’s brother Tom.
Two Democrats are already in the running; former Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and St. Petersburg attorney Jessica Ehrlich.
