A campaign kick-off reception honoring Pinellas County Tax Collector candidate Charles Thomas is slated for 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3, at Bascom’s Chop House in Clearwater.
Thomas, a Republican and long-time Pinellas resident, has served as the county’s Chief Deputy Tax Collector since 2000, the same year Pinellas’ outgoing Tax Collector Diane Nelson, was elected to her post.
Before linking up with Pinellas’ tax collector team, Thomas worked as the program manager for Gordon-Darby Inc. There, he was responsible for maintaining the company’s $5 million annual budget, as well as overseeing the day-to-day operation of 11 separate locations which generated roughly $14 million in annual revenue. He also served as the organizations’ government relations’ liaison.
So far, Thomas is the only person filed to run for the county’s Tax Collector post.
His host committee includes six of Pinellas’ seven constitutional officers: Nelson, Public Defender Bob Dillinger, State Attorney Bernie McCabe, Clerk of the Court Ken Burke, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri and outgoing Property Appraiser Pam Dubov.
Some other big name supporters include St. Pete Sen. Jeff Brandes and Pinellas County Commissioner John Morroni.
The General Election is in November.
