St. Pete City Council member Karl Nurse is endorsing Rick Kriseman for re-election as mayor.
Nurse, term-limited from running again, has served on the Council for nearly a decade, first elected in 2008.
“Rick Kriseman has been a champion and a partner in fighting for our neighborhoods,” said Nurse in a statement Friday. “Under Mayor Kriseman, crime is down and a record number of homes have been renovated. St. Pete should join me in voting for Mayor Kriseman for another four years so we can continue building on our progress and keep St. Pete on the path of renewal. St. Pete has come too far to go back.”
With Friday’s endorsement, Nurse joins a majority of sitting City Council members supporting the incumbent — including Darden Rice, Lisa Wheeler-Bowman, Amy Foster and Charlie Gerdes.
“Neighborhood revitalization has been the hallmark of Karl Nurse’s public service and a priority of my administration, so I’m especially proud to receive his endorsement,” Kriseman said in a statement. “By lowering crime and focusing on expanding opportunity for all residents, our neighborhoods are stronger than when I first took office. We still have more work to do. As mayor, I’ll never stop fighting for progress for all neighborhoods in our city.”
Kriseman faces a crowded primary field Aug. 29, which includes his main opponent – former two-term Mayor Rick Baker – as well as Ernisa Barnwell, Anthony Cates III, Paul Congemi, Theresa “Momma Tee” Lassiter and Jesse Nevel. The general election is Nov. 7.
