St. Petersburg mayoral candidates Bill Foster, Kathleen Ford show clumsiness on race issues

OCTOBER 26, 2009

From Neighborhood Times editor Sandra Gadsden: It's less than two weeks before St. Petersburg elects a new mayor, and a recent misstep by one candidate has supporters of both candidates talking about perceived flaws in their rivals.

Months ago, Bill Foster said he wants to be the "first black mayor." More recently, Kathleen Ford made a remark on a local radio show suggesting that Deputy Mayor Goliath Davis is the HNIC for the African-American community.

Problem is, both statements offend some residents — black and white.

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