In what was a busy day for campaign mailers, District 7 City Council candidate Lisa Wheeler-Brown added to mailboxes with a positive mailer Friday. One side shows the candidate walking hand-in-hand with two young boys down a sidewalk next to a park.
The mailer touts “a safer St. Pete for our families.”
The mailer than goes on to paraphrase Wheeler-Brown’s “tragic story” in which her son, Cabretti, was murdered in 2008. Following his death, Wheeler-Brown made it her mission to break down the community’s no-snitching code of silence. Her activism led to the conviction of her son’s murderer, but she continued working in the community to strengthen relationships between residents and police.
The address-side of the mailer also tout’s Wheeler-Brown’s “record of making our families safer.”
“As the president of the Council of Neighborhood Associations, she worked with families and law enforcement to make St. Pete safer,” the mailer reads. “As or City Councilwoman, she will invest in new technologies for our police officers to help them stop crime while protecting law-abiding citizens.
The other side of the photo shows a somber photo of the candidate holding a photo of her son promising to keep families safe.
Wheeler-Brown’s emphasis on safe neighborhoods echoes similar promises made by her opponent, Will Newton, in another mailer that hit mailboxes Friday.
While Wheeler-Brown has a long history of working with law enforcement, Newton earned the endorsement of the local police union. Wheeler-Brown’s mailer instead subtly targets civilian voters.
In the same sentence Wheeler-Brown says she will “invest in new technologies for our police officers” she also vows to protect “law-abiding citizens.”
It’s no surprise that Newton earned endorsements from first responders. He is a 23 year veteran firefighter and EMT. Wheeler-Brown’s relationship has been one of a sort of mediator between law enforcement and the community. By promising to help both, she is reaching a variety of voters.
The race between Wheeler-Brown and Newton has become heated as news surfaced of some campaign finance mishaps within Wheeler-Brown’s campaign.
There have not yet been any negative mailers sent out criticizing Wheeler-Brown for unreported expenses, contributions and a questionable use of funds involving personal dental work, it’s expected they will roll in soon – likely from outside groups.
The two go head to head at the ballot box November 3. Mail ballots have already gone out, but can still be requested at the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections website. Both candidates’ mailers ask voters to vote-by-mail.
