ST. PETERSBURG -- Social worker Steve Kornell officially entered the City Council race Tuesday.

But the seat he is gunning for might not even be on the ballot this November.

Kornell, who turned in his campaign paperwork this week, wants to replace council member Jamie Bennett, who must resign from his District 5 seat to run for mayor.

Voters will get to pick Bennett's successor only if he resigns before June or if the council approves an ordinance allowing Bennett to stay on throughout election season.

Kornell, 42, works for Pinellas County Schools and has served as a city recreation supervisor in Child's Park and Shore Acres. Most recently, he worked on Charles McKenzie's unsuccessful campaign for state representative.

Kornell is the only council candidate to have filed as of this morning. He could not immediately be reached for comment.

City Clerk Eva Andujar said Kornell can accept campaign contributions like any other official candidate, but if the District 5 seat doesn't make the ballot, he will have to give the money back.

-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer