As qualifying ended at 5 p.m. in St. Petersburg’s mayoral and City Council races, one race is over before it ever really began.
Amy Foster has been re-elected to District 8.
Foster filed her paperwork May 24, one day after St. Petersburg social worker Tharius Bethel mounted a challenge – lasting no more than a day.
Bethel was forced to drop out of the race also on May 24, after informing the City Clerk’s office that he did not live in in District 8, which covers Kenwood, Disston Heights and areas west of I-275.
On his initial filing May 23, Bethel listed his address as 4316 78th St. N.
“I have recently discovered I fall outside the required residence to apply for council member of District 8,” he wrote in his withdrawal letter. “Sorry for the inconvenience. Thank you for your time.”
Since announcing her re-election bid, Foster raised $5,000 through six contributions as of May 31, including $500 in-kind from the candidate herself.
With Foster’s unopposed victory, first-term Council Chair Darden Rice remains as the only incumbent seeking another four-year term.
Rice is facing first-time candidate Jerick Johnston, a University of South Florida St. Petersburg student.
Council members Jim Kennedy of District 2 and Karl Nurse of District 6 face term limits; while Barclay Harless and Brandi Gabbard are seeking to replace Kennedy, 11 candidates have filed for Nurse’s seat.