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St. Petersburg City Council member Robert Blackmon resigns

The resignation likely signals that Blackmon will run for mayor.
 
City Council member Robert Blackmon announced his resignation on Sunday. It likely indicates a mayoral bid.
City Council member Robert Blackmon announced his resignation on Sunday. It likely indicates a mayoral bid. [ DIRK SHADD | Tampa Bay Times ]
Published May 24, 2021|Updated May 24, 2021

ST. PETERSBURG — First-term City Council member Robert Blackmon has resigned his post, effective Jan. 5, 2022 at 11:59 p.m., according to a letter he submitted Sunday to the city clerk’s office.

The resignation telegraphs that Blackmon may imminently file papers to run for mayor. Blackmon on Monday declined to comment.

The Council member has been seriously considering submitting his name. But since his current term overlaps with the mayoral term and Florida is a “resign to run” state, he must announce his resignation now.

He called it “an honor” serving District 1, which covers the Tyrone area.

Blackmon’s place on City Council, his connections and ability to fundraise may make him an immediate frontrunner. The others are two-term City Council member, and Blackmon’s colleague, Darden Rice; former long-time Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch; and former City Council member and state representative Wengay Newton.

Others in the race include real estate agent Vincent Nowicki, former political operative and marketer Marcile Powers, University of South Florida political science student Michael Ingram, and former congressional write-in candidate Michael Levinson.

Candidate qualifying begins June 3. The primary election is Aug. 24. If no candidate earns more than 50 percent of the votes, the top two candidates will face off in the Nov. 2 general election.

Mayor Rick Kriseman is termed out. The mayor will be sworn in Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 and will serve a four-year term.