St. Pete City Council member-elect Ed Montanari is endorsing Will Newton for the District 7 seat to replace incumbent Wengay Newton.
“I strongly endorse Will Newton for St Petersburg City Council District 7. Will has the character, experience, knowledge, and natural leadership skills to serve,” Montanari said. “His service in our Fire Department, along with his background as a neighborhood association president, volunteer for the Juvenile Welfare Board, and his work with youth give him a trusted and proven record of accomplishments for our community.”
Montanari endorses Newton over his opponent, Lisa Wheeler-Brown, who came under fire last week amid controversy surrounding her campaign finance reports. It was uncovered through a series of amendments to past treasurer reports that Wheeler-Brown spent campaign funds on dental work, listed those funds as an office rent for six and a half months and failed to report in-kind contributions.
However, Montanari shied away from those allegations, focusing only on policy issues.
“Will has been focused on the important issues facing St Petersburg including attracting jobs, improving housing, and addressing education and transportation. His knowledge of the issues, history, and general knowledge is outstanding, and he is a strong leader that brings people together,” Montanari said. “I have been impressed to see him in action on the campaign trail and in debates, as he clearly articulates answers to difficult questions.”
Newton seeks to replace his brother on council. While the two share some similarities, including a rejection of the mayor’s proposed Memorandum of Understanding with the Tampa Bay Rays to allow the team to explore alternative stadium sites outside St. Pete but still in the region, the two are vastly different.
Where Wengay Newton has served as an often bombastic voice against the Kriseman administration, Newton takes a more compromising tone. Will Newton’s stance on the Rays is also softer than his brother. While he doesn’t support the most recent version of the MOU, he does see a path to accepting the deal that involves including the Tropicana Field site in the Southside CRA that could infuse millions of dollars into an embattled community.
“His campaign reflects his character that values integrity and is open and honest. I look forward to serving with Will on the St Petersburg City Council and working with him to make our community an even better place to live, work, and raise a family,” Montanari said.
It’s worth noting, Montanari has also publicly stated that he will also not support the current MOU. Wheeler-Brown, conversely, does support it.
Newton’s endorsements include council members Bill Dudley, Steve Kornell and Wengay Newton. He’s also endorsed by former opponents Sheila Scott Griffin and Aaron Sharpe as well as State Reps. Kathleen Peters and Darryl Rouson, the Pinellas Suncoast Police Benevolent Association, the St. Petersburg Association of Firefighters, the Pinellas Realtor Organization and the West Central Florida Federation of Labor.
Wheeler-Brown is endorsed by the local SEIU, both major local newspapers and City Council members Karl Nurse and Darden Rice, among others.
Montanari will replace Bill Dudley for the District 3 City Council seat. Newton and Wheeler-Brown are running for District 7.
The General Election deciding this race is November 3.
