St. Pete City Councilmember-elect Ed Montanari is returning contributions to supporters as promised. There are 198 total pro-rated refunds.
โI made a promise to people as I was making fundraising calls that I would return all contributions after expenses,โ Montanari said.
In all, Montanari is returning $33,862 to supporters. Thatโs about 70 percent of the $48,475 raised in all.
โIt has been just over a month since qualifying for St. Petersburg City Council ended, and I am so blessed and fortunate that we did not have an opponent,โ Montanari wrote in a letter. โI want to thank each and every person that assisted our campaign, and to all the cards, letters, emails, and phone calls. it was a true team effort that made this happen and I am very grateful.โ
Montanari is having a celebration for supporters November 3 at Green Bench Brewery in the Edge District near downtown St. Pete from 7 until 9 p.m.
Montanari was elected without opposition when qualifying for St. Pete City Council races ended last month.
He will replace outgoing City Council member Bill Dudley for the District 1 seat. Dudley is not seeking re-election due to term limits.
Montanari was the only City Council candidate in four races up for election this year to be elected without opposition. Sitting council members Charlie Gerdes and Steve Kornell each drew challengers — Monica Abbott and Phillip Garrett, respectively. The District 7 race to replace term-limited council member Wengay Newton has five candidates vying for the seat. Those are Will Newton, Lisa Wheeler-Brown, Sheila Scott-Griffin, Aaron Sharpe and Lewis Stephens.
