ST. PETERSBURG-- A handful of mayoral candidates are pushing hard to collect checks before campaign finance reports are due in April.

Business executive Deveron Gibbons has been working crowds in Orlando and Tallahassee.

Council member Jamie Bennett, taking a cue from credit card companies at college orientations nationwide, plans to give free T-shirts to his supporters this month.

"Along with Greg Foster of St. Petersburg Recycling Solutions, we are offering a St. Patty’s T-shirt to all those who attend and contribute to our Pre-St. Patrick’s Day Party at Chattaway on March 16," Bennett's campaign blog announced Thursday.

Bennett has also planned or hosted fundraisers at Albert Whitted Municipal Airport, Cha Cha Coconuts at the St. Petersburg Pier and Buona Vita Ristorante downtown.

Meanwhile, former Pinellas Democratic Party Head Toni Molinaro sent out the following e-mail Thursday on behalf of real estate investor Scott Wagman:

Dear Activists-
I am certain that if you meet or know Scott, you will feel compelled to get involved in this year's mayoral race.  He is a superior candidate in so many ways.  We all know that politics is local, so getting involved in a mayoral race is a great opportunity for you to affect change and direction.  Join us this Friday evening at the Globe to meet Scott and learn what I already believe,  and that is that he should be the next mayor of St Petersburg.  If you know Scott then I encourage you to invite someone who hasn't had the chance to meet him yet.  It will be a great time to meet other activists and concerned citizens such as yourself as we sit, drink coffee, chat, and assemble some literature for Scott.
Friday, March 6th
Globe Coffee Shop
532 1st Ave N downtown
4:30 to 6:30pm

If you are already a fan of Scott please consider doing one or more of these helpful actions.
Please go to Scott's Website and make comments on the videos, we love to hear from you.  Or send me an email and provide a statement as to why you endorse Scott as the next mayor of St Petersburg.  I will put it on the website under Endorsements. 

Petition Gathering Events
Every Saturday at Starbucks
1st Ave N and 2nd St N.
Meetup from  8:30am to 9:00am
We will provide free campaign shirts.  We need help gathering petitions at the Saturday AM market and other events that will be held in Vinoy Park this month.

Neighborhood Walks
Every Sunday  at Campaign HQ 
6161 Dr. MLK Jr St and 62nd Ave N,  upstairs Professional Building
Meetup from  12:30pm to 5:00pm 
Come help organize and/or walk neighborhoods

-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer