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Everything you need to know about St. Pete’s City Council elections

Half the council is up for grabs as eight candidates vie to fill four seats. Here’s a primer for Tuesday’s election.
 
2019 St. Petersburg City Council candidates, from top left to bottom right: in District 7, Eritha "Akile" Cainion and Lisa Wheeler-Bowman; in District 3, Orlando Acosta and Ed Montanari; in District 1, Robert Blackmon and John Hornbeck; in District 5, Trenia Cox and Deborah Figgs-Sanders.
2019 St. Petersburg City Council candidates, from top left to bottom right: in District 7, Eritha "Akile" Cainion and Lisa Wheeler-Bowman; in District 3, Orlando Acosta and Ed Montanari; in District 1, Robert Blackmon and John Hornbeck; in District 5, Trenia Cox and Deborah Figgs-Sanders. [ [Scott Keeler, Chris Urso] ]
Published Nov. 4, 2019|Updated Nov. 5, 2019

ST. PETERSBURG — Eight candidates. Four council seats. Three referendum questions.

Two incumbents are running for re-election. Two seats will be filled with newcomers.

Will voters upend half the council? Or will they maintain the status quo?

Will they pass the three referendum questions? Or will they vote them down?

The Tampa Bay Times has covered every race from the start. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2019 St. Petersburg City Council elections:

VOTER’S GUIDE: Get to know St. Petersburg’s City Council candidates

St. Petersburg City Hall. [DIRK SHADD | Times]

MUST-READ: The stories people are talking about.

The city has high hopes for redeveloping Tropicana Field’s 86 acres ― with or without a baseball team. The council members elected Tuesday could have a big say in that plan. Read what the eight candidates have to say about their visions for reshaping the Trop.

St. Petersburg council races are nonpartisan ― or at least they’re supposed to be. But it’s a partisan age, and partisan politics became an issue in the District 3 race.

DISTRICT 1: Robert Blackmon vs. John Hornbeck

St. Petersburg City Council District 1 candidates Robert Blackmon, left, and John Hornbeck. [ SCOTT KEELER | Times ]

District 1: Disagreements in St. Pete City Council District 1 race stray from the issues

DISTRICT 3: Orlando Acosta vs. Ed Montanari

St. Petersburg City Council District 3 candidates Orlando Acosta, left, and incumbent council member Ed Montanari. [ SCOTT KEELER | Times ]

District 3: Incumbent’s record focus of St. Petersburg District 3 race

DISTRICT 5: Trenia Cox vs. Deborah Figgs-Sanders

St. Petersburg City Council District 5 candidates Trenia Cox, left, and Deborah Figgs-Sanders. [ SCOTT KEELER | Times ]

District 5: St. Petersburg District 5 candidates offer similar views on city

DISTRICT 7: Eritha “Akile” Cainion vs. Lisa Wheeler-Bowman

St. Petersburg City Council District 7 candidates Eritha “Akile” Cainion, left, and incumbent council member Lisa Wheeler-Bowman. [ SCOTT KEELER | Times ]

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District 7: Two distinct views of St. Petersburg mark District 7 council race

Referendums: Three questions

Here’s everything you need to know about the three referendum question on the ballot.