St. Pete City Council candidate Lisa Wheeler-Brown has earned the endorsement of Ruth’s List Florida.
“Lisa Wheeler-Brown represents the best of our community,” said Marley Wilkes, executive director of Ruth’s List. “Her service and dedication are well known in St. Petersburg. Lisa has served our country in the military and served St. Petersburg families in fighting to make our streets safe.”
Ruth’s List Florida aims to build “a progressive Florida” by recruiting and supporting strong Democratic women leaders.
“Lisa Wheeler-Brown’s platform to expand education opportunities, attract industry that will provide a living wage to St. Petersburg residents and expand public safety programs is exactly what St. Petersburg needs,” Wilkes said.
There is only one other female candidate in the race for St. Pete City Council District 7, Sheila Scott-Griffin. Though the race is nonpartisan, Scott-Griffin is a Republican.
The endorsement is still a strong nod to Wheeler-Brown. Though there was no other candidate meeting Ruth’s List Florida’s qualifications for endorsement, they could have chosen not to endorse anyone at all. The group’s support also comes with likely benefit,s including campaign contributions from the organization and members.
The latest endorsement builds on an already robust list of endorsements, including both Tampa Bay area newspapers, the Tampa Bay Times and The Tampa Tribune, City Council members Karl Nurse and Darden Rice, Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch, the Pinellas Stonewall Democrats, The Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida and the Florida Public Services Union.
District 7 encompasses some of the city’s poorest neighborhoods, including Midtown and Childs Park.
Wheeler-Brown is hosting a door-to-door Day of Action Saturday, August 22, beginning at 9 a.m. Supporters are meeting at the parking lot of Wildwood Recreation Center, 1000 28th Street South.
Wheeler-Brown also faces Will Newton, Aaron Sharpe and Lewis Stephens. The top two vote-getters in the August 25 primary will advance to the November election.
The winner will replace Wengay Newton, who is leaving office due to term limits.
